The status of Thai theatre and dance in the reign of King Rama III

Abstract

The study of the status of the theatre and dance in the reign of
King Rama III was a historical research aimed at studying social factors
that affect the work of dance. The purpose of research was to study the
history of the dance in the reign of King Rama III during 1824-1839 AD by
using the mixed research methodology which collected the primary and
secondary documents, historical and archaeological evidences such as
paintings and sculptures. The results of the research showed that the
dance in the reign of King Rama III still appears in the royal court and
outside the royal court. It served for fulfilling the needs of ritual and
entertainment role. Although King Phra Nangklao would not pay
attention to the dance work, but it made the dance style spreading out
from royal court to the outside palaces of royal families and houses of
noblemen. Until causing a violation of the royal court tradition on having
a female drama or orchestra adorned with their honor. In addition,
factors from social conditions such as economy, feudal system, the
expansion of the capital city, ethnic and religious diversity, were results
that made the dance spreading widely. When population earned more
income, they can spend for entertainment or gambling. The distribution
of dance in capital, Siam’s dominions and major cities also spread
widely. Especially, in the reign of King Rama III, there were more than 70
temples built and renovated, which can be proved that theater and
dance were used in the celebration of completion and important
religious days.