Classical Thai Dances

Khon, Lakhon and Fawn Thai are three distinct types of classical Thai dance forms which are extremely popular with the Thai audiences. While each of them has a style of its own, the common string attaching all these dance forms is that they are a mixture of dance, play and dramatizations.

Khon, is a unique dance style wear the performers wear elaborate costumes, masks and often use swords an shield as props. Khon characters are usually demons, monkeys and celestial beings depicting instances from Ramakein, the Thai version of the Indian epic, Ramayana. The uniqueness lies in their emoting strong messages without a single dialogue.

Lakhon has dance movements more subtle than Khon. The performers do not wear masks and the stories are taken from mythological Jataka tales (stories of life of lord Buddha). Usually female dancers carry out the Lakhon, emoting gracefully.

The Fawn Thai is a folk dance form of Thai culture and the main feature here is not the story but folk music which is greatly inspired by Burmese songs and dance.

There are five distinct kinds of Fawn dances. They are:

1. Fawn Leb (Fingernails Dance from Chiang Mai)
2. Fawn Ngiew (Scarf Dance from Chiang Rai)
3. Fawn Marn Gumm Ber (Butterfly Dance)
4. Fawn Marn Mong Kol (Happy Dance)
5. Fawn Tian (Candle Dance)

All these types of dances are performed throughout the year for those interested in exploring Thai culture. There are other types of Thai dances as well adhering to religious beliefs and regional influences. Keep watching this space for more on Thai dances and where in Thailand can you see them.