During my last trip to Krung Threp (Bangkok) my friend told me to watch Siam Niramit, a musical show similar to the Broadways. The show is a journey to the enchanted kingdom of Siam (สยาม), now known as Thailand. The show features enhanced special effects with a perfect blend of finest art and most advanced technologies. And in turn it presents a very realistic, stimulating and inspiring experience.
The show is divided into 3 acts - "Journey Back into History", "The Three Worlds: Hell, Himapaan Forest and Heaven" and "Journey Through Joyous Festivals". These three acts are presented at the Siam Niramit complex, located near the center of the Bangkok City, which is also a beautifully crafted representation of Thailand's arts and cultural heritage with the help of a quaint Thai Village set on a canal, bringing to life the traditional lifestyles, arts and crafts of the four regions of the Kingdom. Spread across 10 acres of land, the Siam Niramt also provides thai buffet. A number of Souvenir Shops offer beautiful handicrafts and keepsakes from around Thailand.
The show proudly displays the rich heritage of the Siam Kingdom with the help of 150 actors and actresses with more that 500 costumes and 102 units of sets. The stage is certified by Guiness as the highest in the world. The whole show duration is 80 mins and by the endyou are all mesmerized by the great colorful and incredible performances and lively music.
The first act is Journey Back into History, For over seven centuries, Siam has been home of diverse cultures, a cross-road where civilizations met. The Siam Niramit show represents the past to witness The North - The Ancient Kingdom of Lanna, The South Sea - Traders from Overseas, Issan - Heritage of the Khmer Civilization, and The Central Plains - Ayutthaya, the Mighty Capital.
The second act is Journey Beyond Imagination: The Three Worlds: Hell, Himapaan Forest and Heaven. This act displays the common belief of various religions that despite the diverse cultures and livelihood, people are all bound by the Law of Karma. The good deeds or bad deeds in this world will result in merit or suffering in the next life - this is beautifully and very creatively depicted in three scenes viz. Fiery Hell, Mystic Himapaan Forest and Blissful Heaven.
The third act is ourney Through Joyous Festivals. Buddhists believe that to go to heaven, one must gather merit on earth. Thus, Thai culture is full of a wide variety of merit-making festivals, which combine religious ceremony with joyful celebrations. For example, Ordination, Song Kran, Phi Dtaa Khon, and Loy Krathong.
Song Kran (สงกรานต์) is Thai new year which is celebrated from 13th to 15th of april every year. This is time when many cultures and countries like Laos, Combodia, Srilanka, Yunan provice in china and India celeberate new year. The most obvious celebration of Songkran is the throwing of water. People roam the streets with containers of water or water guns, or post themselves at the side of roads with a garden hose and drench each other and passersby. This, however, was not always the main activity of this festival. Songkran was traditionally a time to visit and pay respects to elders, including family members, friends and neighbors. Besides the throwing of water, people celebrating Songkran may also go to a wat (Buddhist monastery) to pray and give food to monks. They may also cleanse Buddha images from household shrines as well as Buddha images at monasteries by gently pouring water mixed with a Thai fragrance (น้ำอบไทย) over them. It is believed that doing this will bring good luck and prosperity for the New Year.
Loy Krathong (ลอยกระทง) is another beautiful festival on Thailand. This takes place on the full moon in November. During the evening, many people will go down to their local klong (canal) or river to float their krathongs. They believe this will bring them good luck. The krathongs contain a flower, a candle and three incense sticks which are lighted before being placed on the water. The people usually make a wish at the same time. Some people believe that if the candle remains burning until the krathong is out of sight then their wish will come true. By the end of the evening, there are hundreds of flickering lights bobbing up and down on the water. Quite often there are also firework displays.
During the depiction of Loy Krathong festival in act 3 of Siam Niramit show, those guys when they floated their krathongs in a makeshift river on the stage, actually invited the audience and asked them to float the krathong. Another time the show became so lively when actors were actually performing and dancing between the audience.
You will find elephants on the stage and between the audience, the thai dancers dancing between the audience, along with music so melodious, the whole show was one of the best I have ever seen. It easily beats the much famous shows on New York City and Las Vegas.
Siam Niramit is a must visit show if anyone is visiting Bangkok even for a day or two. The show happens every evening at 8 PM. Once you make the booking, they pick you from your location and the show tickets include your Thai-Western buffet dinner.
Its the most enchanting, beautifull and creative show. A definitely must-see attraction of Bangkok City.
Few Pictures (courtesy: Siam Niramit website)
Kingdom of Lanna
Blissful Heaven
Festival of Loy Krathong
For more details refer to: http://www.siamniramit.com
For preview of the show : http://www.siamniramit.com/show-preview.php
Reference: http://www.siamniramit.com and the Siam Niramit handouts given to me during the show.
