Sida khon blessing ceremony held ahead of November 5 opening
The SUPPORT Foundation’s October 27 ceremony at Bangkok’s Thailand Cultural Centre was followed by rehearsals for its Ramakien production.
- A blessing ceremony was held on October 27 at the Thailand Cultural Centre for the "Sida" khon production, ahead of its premiere on November 5.
- Led by a chief Brahmin priest, the ceremony involved sacred rites to bring good fortune to the production's performers, staff, scenery, and props.
- The event, presided over by a representative of the SUPPORT Foundation, was immediately followed by the first rehearsal at the performance venue.
- The "Sida" khon production will be staged from November 5 to December 10 to honor Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother's work in preserving Thai cultural heritage.
The SUPPORT Foundation of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother held a blessing ceremony for its “Sida” khon production at Bangkok’s Thailand Cultural Centre on October 27, 2026, ahead of its November 5 opening.
ACM Satitpong Sukvimol, Principal Private Secretary to His Majesty the King and deputy chairman and secretary-general of the foundation, presided over the ceremony, which brought together the production’s creative team, expert instructors, performers and staff.
The ceremony was followed by the instructors’ and performers’ first rehearsal at the Main Hall, where the classical Thai masked dance-drama will be staged from November 5 to December 10.
Blessings for performers, scenery and props
Satitpong lit incense and candles at an offering table outside the Main Hall before Phra Maha Ratchakhru Pithi Sri Wisutthikhun, the chief Brahmin priest, conducted the ceremonial rites.
The priest recited sacred invocations, performed a ritual blessing with water and bael leaves, and anointed the foreheads of the presiding official, steering committee members, scriptwriters, directors and artistic designers.
The ceremony then continued onstage, where the priest anointed the scenery and props, as well as the foreheads of expert instructors, performers and crew, to bring good fortune ahead of the production.
Rehearsals at the venue began after the rites, allowing the instructors and cast to prepare the performance’s various elements for the stage.
Royal patronage supports a new generation of performers
The 2026 production pays tribute to the contributions of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother and carries forward her commitment to preserving Thai arts and cultural heritage.
The performance also marks the year of Her Majesty the Queen’s fourth-cycle, or 48th, birthday celebrations.
Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother supported the revival and preservation of khon alongside the traditional craftsmanship involved in producing its costumes, headdresses, masks and jewellery. Passing knowledge from experienced teachers to younger generations has been central to that work.
Their Majesties the King and Queen have continued to support khon in keeping with the royal principle of continuing, preserving and building upon Thailand’s cultural heritage.
For “Sida”, specialists in khon, classical theatre, music and singing have brought their expertise together to develop the production and train young performers.
The young cast members have been selected and intensively trained by expert instructors. Their participation gives them an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities while helping sustain the performing tradition.
The production also offers audiences an opportunity to appreciate the connections between Thai literature, classical dance, music and craftsmanship.
Wat Phra Kaew murals inspire the royal wedding scene
The production’s royal wedding scene depicting Phra Ram and Sida draws inspiration from the murals inside Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The scene incorporates detailed Thai artistry into its elaborate stage design.
“Sida” follows the Ramakien as composed by King Phutthayotfa Chulalok the Great, or Rama I, depicting significant episodes in the central character’s life.
These include Sida’s birth, her marriage to Phra Ram, her decision to accompany him into the forest and her abduction by Thotsakan, who takes her to Lanka.
The story also includes Sida’s trial by fire, undertaken to prove her purity and fidelity.
Other stage highlights include the heavenly realm and Mount Meru, Hanuman holding the heart box aloft, and Thotsakan’s abduction of Sida.
The sets and performance elements have been designed to convey the royal literary composition through the movement, music and visual traditions of khon.
Performances run from November 5 to December 10
“Sida” will be staged at the Main Hall of the Thailand Cultural Centre from November 5 to December 10, 2026.
Regular tickets are priced at 2,000, 1,800, 1,000, 800 and 600 baht. Tickets for designated student performances cost 200 baht.
Bookings are available through Thai Ticket Major or by calling 02-262-3456.
