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Bangkok has many traditional dance and theatre groups, which perform around the city, although nowadays they are more popular with tourists than locals, who have generally embraced Western imports. The city does have its own orchestra, the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra. Western plays, with famous actors from Britain and America, are often put on for short seasons at some of the international hotels. Both Thai and international cultural performances, including classical music, dance, ballet and pop concerts, are frequently held in the Thailand Cultural Centre, Ratchadaphisek Road (tel: (02) 247 0028; website: www.culture.go.th), the National Theatre, Rachini Road (tel: (02) 224 1342), and Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, New Ratchadaphisek Road (tel: (02) 229 3000; website: www.qsncc.co.th). Tickets can be obtained in advance from the venues or from Thai Ticketmaster (tel: (02) 262 3456; website: www.thaiticketmaster.com). |
Bangkok Music and Dance: Sala Rim Naam (tel: (02) 437 3080/6211) is owned by The Oriental hotel and is located on the opposite bank of the Chao Phraya River, next to the Peninsula Hotel. The nightly traditional music and dance show starts at 2030, preceded by dinner at 1900.
Bangkok Theatre: Classical dramas are very colourful and expressive and these are held on the last Friday and Saturday of each month at the National Theatre (see above). The Bangkok Playhouse, on Phetchaburi Road (tel: (02) 319 7641), puts on modern plays each week on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.
Bangkok Film: Bangkok has a large number of cinemas but not all show English-language films. Some show movies with English soundtracks but many will have been dubbed into Thai.
Bangkok Literary Notes: A prolific writer of the darker side of expat life is Christopher G Moore who often uses Bangkok as a backdrop. Particularly well known are Spirit House (1992) and Asia Hand (1993), the first two books in a series of seven titles featuring the private eye Vincent Calvino. The latest one, Minor Wife, was published in 2002.