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Thais are a convivial race. After work or during weekends or on public holidays, they love going to places for re-creation or participating in leisure activities. The capital has a wealth of entertainment places: restaurants, sport centers, golf courses, bowling alleys, horse racing tracks, boxing stadiums, museums, public and private parks, zoos, art galleries, cinemas, theatres, concert halls, beer gardens, karaoke clubs, discotheques, and night-clubs. From the above, it is obvious that there is virtually every type of entertainment to suit everyone's taste or budget in Bangkok.

Thailand's English language daily newspapers, the Bangkok Post and The Nation, publish information on current cultural events such as Thai classical music performances, concerts, ensembles on tour, exhibitions, cinemas, and art shows.

Thai Dance
Thai classical dance is considered one of the most graceful forms of artistic expression. Dancers wear beautiful, brightly-colored costumes fully decorated with jewels. They do not speak but use eye contact and body movements, particularly hands and fingers, to convey messages, and to indicate subtle changes of mood and feeling. Themes of the dance drama are based on the ancient Hindu Ramayana epic (widely known as Ramakien in Thailand) which depicts the fight between King Rama (a reincarnation of Vishnu) and Demon King Ravana. The dance is accompanied by percussion instruments and Pi Phat, a type of woodwind.

Two of the most popular classical dances are the Khon, performed by men wearing ferocious masks, and the Lakhon, performed by women who play both male and female roles. Originally, dance performances could last for days. In modern times, only a few selected scenes are presented at dinner shows (Khan Tok).

There are also other styles of Thai dance, ranging from simple, regional folk dances to elegant palace dances. These are usually performed in revue during Khan Tok dinners with several small pieces from each style.

Many hotels and restaurants in Bangkok offer a classical dance show with dinner. The traditional dance performances are also regularly held at the National Theatre (near Sanam Luang) on weekends.

Concerts and Music Performances
The main venues for concerts and music performances are Thailand Cultural Centre (Thanon Ratchadaphisek); the National Theatre (next to Sanam Luang); Chulalongkorn University's auditorium; Alliance Francaise Auditorium (Thanon Sathon Tai); Goethe Institute (Soi Atthakanprasit; off Thanon Sathon Tai); AUA Language Center Auditorium (Thanon Ratchadamri); British Council Centre (Siam Square); Chalermkrung Royal Theatre (New Road, near the Old Siam shopping mall).

During December and January, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), is sponsoring the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra (BSO) for live performances (concerts-in-the-park programmes) at Lumphini Park almost every Sunday evening. The concerts are financially supported by Beer Singha house and admission is free.

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