Traditional khon mask performance as intangible cultural heritage (2006-2014) : cases of Department of Fine Arts Khon Troupe, her Majestyqueen Sirikit's Support Foundation Khon Project and the Sala Chalermkrung Khon Troupe

Abstract

This thesis aims to identify the traditional Khon mask performance as intangible cultural heritage. Three selected cases: the Department of Fine Arts Khon Troupe, Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s SUPPORT Foundation Khon Project and Sala Chalermkrung Khon Troupe will be examined, in terms of their significance and the roles they play in safeguarding Khon performance in Thailand today. In this research, the main resource of information comes from the secondary sources; and some others are from the documentary research, qualitative in-depth interviews and observations. Conclusions of this study indicate that the Khon mask performance has been safeguarded through the efforts of these three organizations; each of them plays significant roles in safeguarding Khon performance today. The study also shows that the main safeguarding approach of Department of Fine Arts Khon Troupe is to fulfill the official commission assigned by the Royal Thai Government to educate the knowledge on Khon, to train Khon artists and to organize Khon performances for the State functions and the regular Khon performances; Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s SUPPORT Foundation Khon Project focus on the approaches of recreating high quality Khon costumes, masks, props, scenes in the authentic traditional Thai style, especially from the early Bangkok period, training young performers and artists and creating modern and high techniques of scene making to attract the audiences and the Sala Chalermkrung Khon Troupe mainly focuses on the approach of introducing the Khon performance in adjusted versions to the tourists and the foreigners. Finally, by the three organizations’ efforts, the traditional Khon performance has been ensured its viability and continuation to the future generations.