Bangkok heritage trail honours Queen Sirikit’s cultural legacy

Bangkok’s historic Rattanakosin quarter is taking centre stage in “Rak Nakara Mankha Haeng Rattanakosin” (Tracing the Roots of Rattanakosin), a cultural programme organised in tribute to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother and her extensive royal contribution to the preservation of Thailand’s cultural heritage.

Her Majesty devoted royal efforts to preserving, reviving, developing, promoting and passing on the country’s artistic traditions, including music, classical dance and folk performances.

She also supported cultural presentations in Thailand and overseas, with particular attention to Khon masked dance, helping to ensure that the centuries-old art form remained part of the nation’s cultural legacy.

Heritage programme marks Queen Mother’s birth anniversary

Fine Arts Department director-general Phanombut Chantarachot explained on Friday (August 7) that the programme is being organised to mark the birth anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother and Thailand’s National Mother’s Day on August 12.

A key feature of the initiative is the transformation of the stretch of Na Phra That Road where Fine Arts Department agencies are located into a cultural street, running from the former Fine Arts Department building to the National Gallery on Chao Fa Road. Each building along the route will feature different exhibitions and cultural activities.

The initiative is designed to promote cultural tourism while encouraging the public to recognise the value and importance of Thailand’s heritage. It also seeks to support the continued preservation and transmission of the country’s arts and culture in keeping with Her Majesty’s royal initiatives.

A journey through the heart of Rattanakosin

The programme connects a series of historical and cultural learning sites across Rattanakosin Island, creating a route through some of Bangkok’s most important heritage locations.

The journey begins at the former Fine Arts Department building near Sanam Luang, a historic structure distinguished by its European-influenced architecture. 

Visitors can learn about the history and work of the Fine Arts Department and buy souvenirs from the Phufa Shop, established under the royal initiative of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. 

A special exhibition on August 12 will also feature at least 30 rare historic photographs of King Chulalongkorn, or King Rama V, drawn from the collections of some of Thailand’s leading collectors of historic photographs.

The route continues to the Silpa Bhirasri Memorial National Museum, which presents the life and work of Silpa Bhirasri, regarded as the father of modern art in Thailand.

Visitors then proceed to the Thaworn Watthu Building, also known as the Red Building, where displays include traditional scripture cabinets regarded as valuable examples of Thai craftsmanship, as well as exhibitions on the life and royal duties of King Chulalongkorn.

A highlight on this occasion is an exhibition of Khrueang To, sets of Chinese porcelain arranged on traditional altar tables. This style of display was popular during the reign of King Rama V but is rarely seen today.

The route continues to the Bangkok National Museum, where visitors can explore important antiquities and works of art representing different periods of Thai history.

A special exhibition, “Exquisite Siamese Textiles: A Tribute to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother”, is devoted to the beauty of Thai textiles and traditional dress while paying tribute to Her Majesty for her role in preserving, reviving, developing and promoting textile craftsmanship and traditional clothing as enduring elements of Thailand’s artistic heritage.

The exhibition brings together 111 items selected from national museums in Bangkok and the regions, the Central Storage of National Museums and the National Library.

It highlights outstanding hand-woven textiles from different parts of Thailand and explores the development of Thai cloth through historical evidence, traditional weaving methods and other aspects of textile production.

Among the highlights are important antique textiles, including a piece embroidered with jewel beetle wings, a technique now rarely seen. The textile is believed to be one of the oldest surviving examples, dating back more than 100 years.

The exhibition will run from August 12 to October 4, 2026, at the Issaravinitchai Throne Hall at the Bangkok National Museum.

The wider heritage route also includes the National Theatre, which has hosted national dance and music performances for more than 60 years, the National Gallery on Chao Fa Road, and Wat Bowon Sathan Sutthawat, also known as Wat Phra Kaeo Wang Na.

Together, the sites offer visitors a journey through the history and cultural development of Rattanakosin and the roots of life in historic Bangkok.

Extra National Theatre performance added after sell-out

As part of the programme, the Fine Arts Department’s Office of Performing Arts will present a traditional dance and music showcase at the National Theatre at 2pm on August 12.

The programme includes the Sri Somdet overture, performed by a soft-mallet Piphat ensemble; the tribute performance Samnuek Phra Khun Karuna Song Nang Fa Pracha Thai (Gratitude for the Benevolence of Two Angels of the Thai People); a dance showcasing Thai textiles from the country’s four regions; and Mon Piphat instrumental and vocal performances.

National Artist Pakorn Pornpisut will perform the song Won Fan Phleng (an appeal for love and support from music fans), while the programme will also feature Mon Tai Phra Borom Phothisomphan, Western-style instrumental and vocal music, and a Khon performance of the Brahmāstra episode from the Ramakien, accompanied by an orchestra and Piphat ensemble.

Phanombut explained that the Brahmāstra episode was chosen because the performance falls on National Mother’s Day. It was also the first Khon episode that Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother brought back to life as part of the SUPPORT Foundation’s revival of the traditional art form.

The performance will feature key scenes including Hanuman confronting the disguised Erawan elephant, as well as a procession of transformed demons led by Indrajit disguised as the god Indra.

All seats for the August 12 performance have already been booked. The Fine Arts Department therefore plans to livestream the Khon performance on its Facebook and YouTube channels, allowing audiences nationwide, including those in other provinces and those unable to secure tickets, to watch the performance live.

The department will also add a second performance at 2pm on August 23.

Tickets are priced at 400, 300, 200, 150 and 100 baht and will go on sale at 9.30am on August 11 via ntt.finearts.go.th. Audience members must register as National Theatre members before purchasing tickets.

Further information is available during office hours on 0 2221 6532 and 0 2221 1342.