Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
to see traditional
lá·kon gâa bon
(shrine dancing). At Lak Meuang (
Click here
)
and the
Erawan Shrine (
Click here
)
, worshippers commission costumed troupes to perform dance
movements that are similar to classical
lá·kon,
but not as refined.
Another option for viewing Thai classical dance is at a dinner theatre. Most dinner
theatres in Bangkok are heavily promoted through hotels to an ever-changing clientele, so
standards are poor to fair. The performances at Sala Rim Nam (
Click here
)
come recom-
mended.
See
Click here
for more on traditional Thai dance.
Gà·teu·i Cabaret
In recent years, watching men dressed as women perform tacky show tunes has become a
'must-do' fixture on the Bangkok tourist circuit. Calypso Bangkok (
Click here
)
, Mambo
Cabaret (
Click here
)
and Playhouse Theater Cabaret (
Click here
)
host choreographed
stage shows featuring Broadway high kicks and lip-synched pop tunes.
Cinemas
Hollywood movies are released in Bangkok's theatres in a relatively timely fashion. But
as home-grown cinema grows bigger, more and more Thai films, often subtitled in Eng-
lish, fill the roster. Foreign films are sometimes altered by Thailand's film censors before
distribution; this usually involves obscuring nude sequences.
The shopping-centre cinemas have plush VIP options. Despite the heat and humidity on
the streets, keep in mind that Bangkok's movie theatres pump the air-conditioning with
such vigour that a jumper is an absolute necessity. Ticket prices range from 120B to 220B
for regular seats, and more than 1000B for VIP seats.
Bangkok also hosts a handful of annual film festivals, including the World Film Festiv-
al of Bangkok (
www.worldfilmbkk.com
)
in October.
See
Click here
for more on Thai film.
Moo·ay tai (Thai Boxing)
Quintessentially Thai, almost anything goes in
moo·ay tai
(also spelt
muay thai
), the mar-
tial art more commonly known elsewhere as Thai boxing or kickboxing. If you don't mind
the violence, a Thai boxing match is well worth attending for the pure spectacle: the wild
musical accompaniment, the ceremonial beginning of each match and the frenzied betting.
The best of the best fight at Bangkok's two boxing stadiums. Built on royal land at the
end of WWII, the art deco-style Ratchadamnoen Stadium (
Click here
)
is the original and
