Why book with us
Why see Khon at Sala Chalermkrung
A UNESCO-recognised classical art form
Khon is a masked dance-drama tradition rooted in the Thai royal court, recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2018 — a genuinely classical art form, not a resort dinner-theatre invention.
A historic venue, not a hotel ballroom
Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre opened in 1933 and is one of Bangkok's oldest cinemas/theatres, later becoming a dedicated home for classical Khon performance — the venue itself carries real history.
The Ramakien, Thailand's national epic
Khon performances typically stage scenes from the Ramakien, Thailand's own national epic adapted from the Indian Ramayana, performed with elaborate masks, costume and highly stylised movement rather than spoken dialogue.
How the evening unfolds
How the day unfolds
This is a half-day combination ticket — temples first, then the Khon show.
The Masks
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Morning
Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew
The day begins with entry to the Grand Palace complex and Wat Phra Kaew (the Temple of the Emerald Buddha), Thailand's most revered religious site.
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Midday
Wat Pho
The itinerary continues to Wat Pho, home to the giant Reclining Buddha, before moving toward Sala Chalermkrung for the afternoon performance.
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Afternoon
The Khon performance
You take your seat at Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre for a traditional Khon masked dance-drama staging scenes from the Ramakien, at one of the day's three fixed showtimes.
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Close
End of the tour
The combination tour concludes after the performance; check your specific listing for transport/drop-off details.
The venue
The venue: Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre
What's actually behind the name.
A historic 1933 theatre
Sala Chalermkrung opened in 1933 as one of Southeast Asia's grandest cinemas of its era, later repurposed as a dedicated venue for classical Thai performing arts including Khon.
Over 60 performers
Khon productions here are staged with a large cast — reportedly over 60 performers across singing, dancing, acrobatics and acting roles in a full production.
Fixed showtimes
Performances run Monday to Friday at set times (around 1pm, 2:30pm and 4pm) rather than continuous sessions — check your ticket for your specific showtime.
Central Bangkok
The theatre sits near the Grand Palace / Old Town area, an easy add-on after a Grand Palace and Wat Pho morning visit, as this combination ticket is structured.
Khon, in pictures
Khon, in pictures
General imagery of the setting and tradition — not photographs of the show itself, which we don't have rights to photograph.
What's included
This half-day combo, or a Khon-only evening ticket
| This half-day combo (temples + Khon) | A Khon-only ticket | |
|---|---|---|
| What's included | Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho, plus the Khon show | Just the Khon performance at Sala Chalermkrung |
| Length | A half-day itinerary | About 1-1.5 hours, the show only |
| Best for | First-time visitors wanting temples and culture in one day | Visitors who've already seen the temples and want the show alone |
Ways to book Khon Show Bangkok
Find a Khon Show Bangkok date for your trip
Every option below is bookable through GetYourGuide, with live availability and the final price shown in your own currency before you pay.
Planning your visit
Planning your visit
What to wear
Since the day includes temple visits, dress modestly — shoulders and knees covered — for the Grand Palace and Wat Pho; the theatre itself has no strict dress code beyond that.
What time to arrive
This is a structured half-day tour with a fixed itinerary — arrive at your confirmed pickup time or meeting point, and note which of the three afternoon Khon showtimes your ticket covers.
Getting to Sala Chalermkrung
The theatre is near the Old Town/Grand Palace area; the combination ticket structure means transport between the temples and theatre is generally handled as part of the tour — check your listing for specifics.
How far ahead to book
The Khon performance runs to fixed daily showtimes with limited seating, so booking a day or more ahead — especially in peak season — helps secure your preferred slot.
Planning your trip
Planning your trip
GEO/FAQ
Khon Masked Dance questions
What is Khon?
Khon is a classical Thai masked dance-drama rooted in the royal court tradition, recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2018. Performers in elaborate masks and costume act out scenes from the Ramakien, Thailand's national epic, through highly stylised movement.
Is this ticket just the show, or does it include the Grand Palace too?
This specific listing (t987337) is a half-day combination ticket covering the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Pho in addition to the Khon performance at Sala Chalermkrung. If you only want the show, look for a Khon-only ticket instead.
What story does the show tell?
Khon performances typically stage scenes from the Ramakien, Thailand's own national epic adapted from the Indian Ramayana, rather than a single fixed narrative — the specific scenes performed can vary by date.
What are the showtimes?
Sala Chalermkrung runs Khon performances Monday to Friday at set times, typically around 1pm, 2:30pm and 4pm — check your confirmed booking for your specific slot.
How long is the performance?
The Khon segment itself typically runs around an hour; this half-day combination ticket's full itinerary, including the temples, runs considerably longer.
Is the price shown final?
You book through GetYourGuide, which shows the final price in your own currency and the cancellation policy before you pay. We're an independent guide to booking this experience, not the theatre.
Still deciding on dates?
Leave your email and roughly when you're travelling — we'll send a short rundown of how to choose the right ticket and how far ahead to book.