Joe Louis Traditional Thai Puppet Theatre

นาฏยศาลา หุ่นละครเล็

The establishment of this theatre was inspired by Sakhon Yangkhieosot, or Joe Louis, who wished to preserve the art of operating Hun Lakhon Lek puppets. In operating the puppets, the puppeteers require basic skills of Khon performance as they will have to move their footsteps and hand gestures to coincide with those of the puppets. Each puppet is operated by three puppeteers, lending it lifelike movements. Hun Lakhon Lek usually performs the story of Ramakian, the Thai version of the Ramayana epic. Sakhon Nattasin is the only performing troupe of Hun Lakhon Lek in Thailand. The show is in Thai with translations into English, and there is a segment where the puppets interact with audience members that is popular with children. There is also a corner inside the theatre where Khon mask making is demonstrated, with a gallery of the Hun Lakhon Lek puppets and their background.

• museum
• family

Address

Asiatique The Riverfront, 2194 Charoen Krung Rd

Getting there

BTS Saphan Taksin, then take the Asiatique river ferry

Hours

Daily 19:30-20:45

Price

3,000 baht

Website

joelouistheatre.com (opens in a new tab)