• AP Thailand provides scholarships to young artists in the ‘Mini Khon’ program through a private performing arts institute, playing a part in nurturing cultural roots for youth, in line with the royal aspirations of Her Majesty the Queen Mother to preserve the ‘Khon’ art, a high-level national performance, ensuring its sustainability in Thai society.
  • They also organized a special children’s Khon performance titled “Continuing the Royal Aspirations Under the Royal Patronage,” showcasing the values of Thai arts and culture as a soft power of the nation during the ‘Under the Royal Patronage: 244 Years of Rattanakosin’ event.
  • This initiative reinforces the organization's commitment to social sustainability, contributing to the cultivation of cultural roots, allowing Thai youth to learn and practice Khon while instilling pride in their Thai identity.

AP Thailand Public Company Limited is advancing from being “Thailand’s number one real estate company” to “an organization dedicated to promoting sustainability in society,” led by Mr. Kittichat Satitnapachai, Deputy Managing Director of Corporate Marketing Strategy and Digital, continuing the legacy of the arts by supporting the ‘Mini Khon’ project through the private performing arts institute, represented by Professor Puttichai Chotpradit, the institute's director, along with a group of young Khon performers.

Through this ongoing support, AP Thailand aims to be part of nurturing cultural roots, allowing Thai youth to learn and practice the ‘Khon’ performance, which has been recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. They also pay homage to and continue the royal aspirations of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, in preserving and promoting the Khon art, “a world heritage, a national heritage... accessible to all.”

Showcasing the Splendor at the ‘Under the Royal Patronage: 244 Years of Rattanakosin’ Event

Additionally, AP Thailand participated in the event ‘Under the Royal Patronage: 244 Years of Rattanakosin’, a significant national platform reflecting the beauty of Thai arts and culture, held on April 22 at Wat Prayurawongsawas Worawihan, featuring a special children’s Khon performance titled “Continuing the Royal Aspirations Under the Royal Patronage.” The performance included five special acts: the Dance of the Giant, the Dance of the Golden Deer, Hanuman Captures Nang Benjakai, Chui Chai Pali, and the Recitation of Phra Pheak.

The grandeur of this performance was driven by the hearts of over 30 young performers, including a 4-year-old child actor, showcasing that Thai arts and culture can resonate with children from a young age. This beautiful event was held to pay tribute to the royal benevolence and to continue the royal aspirations for the preservation of Thai arts and culture, dedicated to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother.

Voices of Young Performers Behind the Mini Khon Stage

“I am proud to wear the Khon costume and make everyone smile!”

This heartfelt sentiment comes from a representative of the young Khon performers from the private performing arts institute, who dedicated themselves to rehearsing hard to showcase the splendor of the performance at the ‘Under the Royal Patronage: 244 Years of Rattanakosin’ event at Wat Prayurawongsawas Worawihan.

Young Progress Grade 4 Wikrom Jaiboon as ‘Hanuman’

“Rehearsals were very tough. The role of Hanuman is very exhausting, but when I finally wore the Khon costume and saw the audience applaud and smile, I felt very happy and proud. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to perform in such a grand event!”

Young Tyra Grade 4 Kanyapichaya Sajjaveerakul as ‘Nang Benjakai’

“I have loved watching Khon since I was a child. Now that I get to learn and perform, I love it even more. I am very happy that kind adults support us to have a beautiful stage that is a national heritage. I will continue to practice hard and hope my friends will also come to love and watch Khon more!”

Young One Grade 4 Intach Saengsaikaew as ‘Kumbhakarna’

“I am very happy to perform Khon for everyone. The role of the giant is challenging; I have to convey both ferocity and strength through every movement. I feel happy every time I see the audience smile and enjoy the performance, and I want to continue performing Khon to preserve this beauty.”

Young Peek Grade 4 Sivapong Phungsaiyan as ‘Phra Pheak’

“I have been with Khon for 10 years. Since I first saw it at 3 years old, I was fascinated and started learning until I could perform. Although there are challenges with visibility and breathing, I am very proud to be part of preserving the Khon performance art.”

AP Thailand is committed to preserving Thai Khon through the hearts of the new generation.

Every smile, determined gaze, and drop of sweat from the children is the clearest answer as to why AP Thailand is dedicated to supporting the private performing arts institute in the continuous preservation and conservation of Khon. The success of preserving world heritage and national heritage is not measured solely by the grandeur of the show on stage but by the ability to integrate this high art into the hearts of the next generation sustainably.

AP Thailand is proud to be part of nurturing dreams and passing on the beauty of Thai culture to grow sustainably alongside Thai youth, hoping that this support will be another vital force in continuing the legacy of Khon art from a valuable world heritage to a tangible art form, passing on pride from the past to the present and future.