Every Sunday morning, a group of young students gathers at Wat Phai Lom in Nakhon Pathom to practise the graceful movements of khon and traditional Thai dance, dressed in white T-shirts and bright red jong kraben loincloths as Thai music plays in the background.
The free classes are part of an initiative at Wat Phai Lom Temple, led by acting abbot Phra Khru Palad Sitthiwat, known as Luang Phi Namfon, in collaboration with Thai cultural arts instructor Sutsanguan Thongma and a team of khon and dance teachers.
The programme, which began in July, aims to give children, students and members of the public an opportunity to learn and help preserve traditional Thai performing arts, which organisers see as an important part of the country’s cultural identity and soft power.
But the classes have also become a weekend family activity. Parents who bring their children to learn khon or dance often join classes themselves, turning the temple grounds into a shared learning space for different generations.
That was the case for Wallapa Wongsakdirin, whose daughter attends the khon class. She said she chose the programme because it is free and gives her daughter the chance to learn an art form that requires discipline and dedicated practice.
While waiting for her daughter, Wallapa decided to take Thai dance classes herself.
“This is a very good project organised by Wat Phai Lom,” she said.
Dr. Thidarat Suebyat, a lecturer at Nakhon Pathom Rajabhat University, said learning khon and Thai dance could help children develop concentration while encouraging young people and the wider public to preserve Thailand’s traditional arts.
The programme also reflects Luang Phi Namfon’s aim of making the temple’s space available for public benefit, creating a place where people can learn, practise and spend time together beyond the digital world.
