Ratchaburi: The Ratchaburi Provincial Cultural Office, in collaboration with various organizations, is set to host the 19th Wat Khanon Shadow Puppet Festival, an annual arts and culture event aimed at appreciating "Shadow Puppetry" as a cultural ambassador vying for UNESCO recognition. Scheduled to coincide with the Songkran Festival on April 13-14, 2026, the festival will take place at Wat Khanon in Ratchaburi Province.
According to Thai News Agency, the festival, themed "Akkarapirak Silapin, Weaving the Arts of Thailand," continues the royal aspirations of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, who has prioritized the conservation and continuation of "Khon," a traditional Thai masked dance-drama. The festival showcases "Khon in front of a screen" or "Khon with shadow puppets," a unique performance style that combines Khon with shadow puppetry. This performance style, featuring intricately carved shadow puppets depicting scenes from the Ramakien epic, has been well-received by tourists and the general public.
Phra Khru Phitak Silapakhom, Ph.D., the abbot of Wat Khanon, emphasized the significance of the festival in honoring and creating unique cultural heritage. This year, the festival will present the ancient art of shadow puppetry using coconut shells, specifically the "Shadow Puppets with Khon Performance." This performance, in collaboration with Silpakorn University, will depict "The First Battle of Indrajit: Mother's Milk," narrating the story through lyrics, songs, and traditional Thai music. The performance aims to provide a complete understanding and artistic enjoyment for the audience.
In addition to the main performances, the festival will feature various cultural performances from across Thailand, including shadow puppetry from other provinces, Southern Thai art, Likay Hulu, Nang Talung, Manorah, and Lanna art legends. Visitors can also experience cultural performances from Ratchaburi communities, demonstrations, and sales of traditional crafts, and the 'Dan Khanon Market,' a retro-style Thai land market. The market offers community products and local food along the Mae Klong River, with a unique feature allowing attendees to exchange tokens to buy goods or food, or keep them as souvenirs.
The Cabinet has recently approved the proposal to submit "The Restoration of Traditional Thai Shadow Puppetry by Community Shadow Puppetry Groups in Thailand" for UNESCO registration under "Best Practices in the Preservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage." This initiative aims to build on the success of reviving shadow puppetry for recognition both domestically and internationally. Previously, "Wat Khonon Shadow Puppetry in Ratchaburi Province" received an award for outstanding achievements in the restoration of intangible cultural heritage from the Asia/Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO (ACCU) in June 2007.
The 19th Wat Khanon Shadow Puppet Festival will be held from April 13-14, 2026, from 3:00 PM to 9:30 PM at Wat Khanon, Ratchaburi Province.