In honour of a Great King

Al Fresco stangings of traditional dance, Thai classical music and a chance to sample the cuisine of the Royal court are among the highlights of a festival this weekend at King Rama II Memorial Park in Samut Songkhram.
Marking the monarch’s February 24 birthday, the annual event commemorates King Rama II’s legacy as a major patron of Thai arts and culture.
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will preside over the event on Saturday at 3pm.
The performances get underway with traditional Thai dance by 32 dancers paired into 16 couples, who will all be attired in beautiful Rattanakosin-era costumes.
“Nee Nang Panturat” (“Escape from Mrs Panturat”), an episode of King Rama II’s popular play “Sang Thong”, will be performed in the lakhon nok style by young dancers from the King Rama II Memorial Foundation who have been trained by National Artist Suwannee Chalanukrao. The production is directed by Prakon Lapkesorn, while Tassanee Khunthong, the National Artist who’s advising on the performance, will add rare traditional tunes, including “Pleng Karavek” and “Khmer Kor Tan”.
The live performances will wrap with a khon performance of the Ramakien episode “Ongkot Suesan Thueng Kumpakan Tod Nam” (“Ongkot commands Kumpakan to Irrigate the Water”). The show is directed and narrated by the Fine Art Department’s khon expert Prasat Thong-aram.
The lotus is honoured at this year’s event through painting and cooking contests with a lotus theme organised by the Horticutural Science Society of Thailand. Innovative menus that centre on the lotus will be served at the event.
Visitors can also enjoy demonstrations of the old-style Siamese garlands made by the ladies of the court while goldsmiths show how to create delicate jewellery. A lively floating market hosted by local artisans will sell arts, crafts, fresh seafood, desserts and souvenirs.
Inside the park, visitors can learn about the life of King Rama II (1767-1824) and how he promoted Thai arts and culture. He was later named a World Great Personality by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) in recognition of his patronage.
The memorial park was officially opened on March 31, 1979 by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn on 4.4 acres of land donated by Phra Rajsamutmatee, the abbot of Wat Amphawan Chetiyaram. The birthplace of King Rama II, it was opened to the public eight years later, on June 2, 1987.
The park is home to a Thai-style house that is home to the King Rama II museum. Visitors can view Rattanakosin antiques that depict that cultures and lifestyles of that period. There is also a botanical garden with various species of flowers, an outdoor theatre and souvenir shops selling local products and fruits at the parking and riverside areas.
 CULTURE
BY THE RIVER
 n The celebration runs from 8am to 9pm on Saturday and Sunday at King Rama II Memorial Park in Amphawa, Samut Songkhram.
n Tickets for Saturday’s show are Bt500 and Bt300. For booking, call (02) 628 7217, 02 281 7435.
n The khon performance is on Sunday and is free. Admission to the park costs Bt50.
n For more information, call (089) 236 3720.