The khon – a dance drama by performers in masks – was part of the cultural trip organised by the Culture, Foreign, and Tourism and Sports ministries to celebrate the 7th circle birthday of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit and 65 years of relations between Thailand and Australia. “The government aims to use cultural policy as soft power to promote our country. By using our rich culture, we hope to strengthen political, economic and investment relations,” said General Thanasak, who had also led a Thai khon troupe from the Culture Ministry to stage a performance at London’s Royal Albert Hall in 2015. The cultural trip, which is taking place from August 28 to September 3, will promote the masked dance both on and off-stage. There will be a demonstration of “wai khru” or guru worship ceremony and live performance by a traditional orchestra at the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre in New South Wales on August 30 and another promotion of Thai culture in Brisbane on September 3.

Source: The Nation Bangkok August 25, 2017 09:45 UTC