Entertainment

Bangkok may lack the big theatres and galleries or major American or European cities, but there is still plenty of entertainment choices, both traditional and modern, Thai and Western.

The classic Thai entertainment is dance drama, performances of which are staged at the National Theatre (Chao Fa Road, Tel: 02224 1342), while excerpts, along with other traditional and folk dance, are featured in the cultural shows offered by various Thai restaurants. The major style of dance is Khon, a masked drama in which the performers, all gorgeously costumed, use graceful, sinuous body and hand movements to express both emotions and actions in the telling of the Ramakian, a moral epic. Classical Thai music accompanies the mute performances, which in their Kaleidoscope of colour and movement present an unforgettable spectacle.

Other traditional entertainments are shadow and string puppets shows, which also relate classic tales. In Bangkok the principal showcase for puppets is the Joe Louis Theatre at Suan Lun Night Bazaar on Wireless Road. Nor is modern and experimental drama overlooked and while these are not regular offerings, there are frequent performance by various drama companies, one of the most active being Patravadi Theatre (69/1 Soi Wat Rakhang, Arun Amarin, Siriraj, Thon Buri, Bangkok, Tel: 0-02412-7287)

The principle venue for concerts, ballets and other performances, by Asian and Western companies of international renown, is the Thailand Cultural Centre (Ratchadaphisek Road Tel: 0-2245-7711). Additionally, leading Bangkok hotels quite often host theatre-dinner shows stage by international performers.

Bangkok further boasts a vibrant modern art scene, and numerous Bangkok galleries have constantly changing exhibitions of leading and up-and-coming contemporary Thai and other Southeast Asian artists. For popular music, many bars and cocktail lounges have live bands, and in Bangkok jazz is especially popular, one of the tip venues being the Bamboo Bar at the Oriental Hotel. As for movies, Bangkok has a host of excellent modern cinema complexes screening the latest Thai and Western box office hits. And, of course, there is television, and most hotels and serviced apartments - as well as some bars- offer satellite news, sports, movie and entertainment channels.