Foundation Selects Young Khon Dancers Nationwide for 2026
A royal foundation is casting dancers aged 15-25 across Thailand for a Khon performance of Ramakien scheduled for late 2026, with auditions set for early July at a Bangkok-area university.
The Promotion of Arts and Crafts as a Profession Foundation, under royal patronage, is organizing a Khon performance of Ramakien: The Sida Episode, scheduled to run from November 5 to December 10, 2026, at the Thailand Cultural Centre's Grand Hall.
The foundation has announced auditions for talented youth aged 15-25 from across Thailand who are currently studying or have graduated from educational institutions nationwide. The selection process began on May 5, 2026, and closed on June 12, 2026, attracting record-breaking interest with 1,135 applicants—more than any previous year.
Auditions for male characters (gods, demons, and monkeys) will be held Saturday, July 4, 2026, while auditions for female characters will take place Sunday, July 5, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Faculty of Fine Arts Building, fourth floor, Graduate Institute of Dramatic Art in Salaya, Nakhon Pathom.
Candidates must be between 15 and 25 years old, possess strong skills in Thai classical dance for Khon performance, demonstrate good personality and attitude toward the art form, and commit to training and related activities as required by the foundation. Eligible applicants must be currently enrolled in or have graduated from secondary school, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral programs.
Selected performers will receive training from expert artists and instructors across various disciplines to develop mastery and perform gracefully on stage. This production honors the late Queen Sirikit's commitment to reviving Khon, a treasured Thai cultural art form at risk of decline. Since 2007, the foundation has continuously staged various Ramakien episodes, including most recently the Satyapalii Episode in 2025, which gained tremendous popularity and inspired Thai people of all ages to appreciate and preserve national arts and culture in line with the late King's vision.
The foundation encourages young dancers nationwide who are passionate about Thai classical dance performance to participate and become outstanding Khon performers.
