Sukhothai Culture Travel Guide  Jump to: Culture Galleries
As the cradle of the golden age of Thai culture, old Sukhothai represents the best of culture in stone and bricks. It's actually more difficult to find living culture than you might think, but the following are worth looking out for. Ask your Sukhothai hotel concierge for details of any special cultural events happening during your visit to Sukhothai. [more]
Sukhothai Thai Classical Dancing
It is said that most Thai arts originated in the court at Sukhothai, and the Sukhothai style of dance has been reconstructed from stone reliefs of dancers found at the site and elsewhere. Costumes have a Khmer flavour, with one dancer wearing a Khmer-style crown.
Drama and music are fused together in Thai classical dancing. Most traditional dances tell tales from the epic Ramakien, where gods and humans battle it out for love and glory. Thai classical dancing is highly stylised, and the dancers never speak, so it's sometimes a little confusing to try and find out what is actually going on. The narritive is sung by an offstage chorus, and the dance is accompanied by highly accomplished musicians. You are most likely to encounter Thai classical dance in Sukhothai as part of a Thai evening at a Sukhothai hotel or restaurant; ask at reception to see what is on offer during your stay.
Thai classical music in Sukhothai
Thai classical music originated in the ancient kingdom of Sukhothai, and is written for two types of ensembles, a percussion group called a Pi Phat and a string ensemble known as a mahori. Thai classical music is not fixed; the composer sets the main melody, then each musician adapts it, according to the nature of their instrument. It's rather like improve jazz, only without the tedious solos. Ask at your Sukhothai hotel reception of details of local performances or culture nights taking place during your visit to Sukhotahi.
Thai Puppet Theatre in Sukhothai
There are three different types of Thai puppet theatre, but the one you are most likely to see is the Nang Yai, or shadow puppet theatre. Brought to Thailand from Malaysia, the dancers manipulate intricate and elaborate shadow puppets with slender bamboo poles, dancing themselves to make the puppets move to live music. The storyline is sung by an off-stage singer, and the whole show is traditionally lit by the light of a bonfire fuelled by smoke-free coconut shells. A great night for all the family, or leave the kids behind and enjoy it yourself.
Loi Krathong Festival in Sukhothai
This annual countrywide festival originated in Sukhothai - for more details, see our Events section.
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