Sala Chalermkrung: Bangkok's Royal Theatre and the Khon Show

Updated on October 9, 2026

Sala Chalermkrung ("Royal Theatre") is a theatre on Charoen Krung Road, in the Wang Burapha area of Phra Nakhon district. It opened in 1933 under King Rama VII, first as a prestige cinema before hosting live shows. Today it is known for its khon performances, the masked dance-drama based on the Ramakien, the Thai version of the Ramayana. The theatre is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm according to its official website; show dates and times, however, change, so check them before you come. Allow about 1 h 30 for a show. See also: shows in Bangkok, the Grand Palace and Chinatown.

Highlights

The façade and the hall

The 1930s building and its large old-fashioned auditorium are reason enough to come. Arrive a little early to see them without the crowd.

Khon

The dancers wear detailed masks and embroidered costumes and do not speak: a narrator and a traditional orchestra tell the story. The theatre's best-known programme features Hanuman, the white monkey king, in an episode of the Ramakien.

Masks and costumes

Each character has a mask: demons (yak), monkeys (ling), gods and kings. Khon is inscribed by UNESCO on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

A show designed for visitors

The theatre presents khon to a foreign audience: before you buy, ask about the language of the subtitles or commentary.

Practical info

Tips

Shows, their days, times and prices are not reliably published and change with the season: check the theatre's official website or phone before you come, and do not pay a price without confirming the performance date with a reseller. Reduced prices for holders of a Grand Palace ticket have been reported by resellers; ask at the box office. Book ahead, preferably directly with the theatre. Smart dress recommended. Information to verify: this page could not confirm the current programme.

How to get there

66 Charoen Krung Road, Wang Burapha Phirom, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200. MRT Blue Line, Sam Yot station, then about a ten-minute walk; or taxi / Grab. The theatre is on Charoen Krung, close to Chinatown and Phahurat.