Thailand - Thai Culture - Court Culture

Court Culture: Historically the style and growth of court culture developed by royal patronage influence of the wealthy nobility of Thailand. They in turn were influenced by neighbouring countries, foreign trade partners and religious belief.

Classical Architecture: Classical Thai architecture and its influences from Burmese, Chinese, Indian and the Khmer regions and the blend of all these developed to form typical Thai architecture, and can be found everywhere across the country particularly in rural dwellings, pagodas and temples.

Classical Drama and Dance: Thai drama like the masked very formal 'Khon' and less so formal and more graceful 'Lakhon' were originally only performed in royal and noble circles.

Classical Literature: Early Thai literature was mainly concerned with and about religion and history relating to the royal household and nobles, their wars, trials and tribulations.

Classical Music: Based on the diatonic music scale, the instruments are of four types: drawing, percussion, plucking and woodwind.

Classical Painting: Mainly religious or historic and of the mural style in public buildings like temples, intended to inform the general population about and promotion of Buddhism and maintenance of the Thai class system.

Classical Sculpture: Thai sculpture is largely concentrated on the Lord Buddha's image. Many of Thailand's Buddha images are to be ranked amongst the world's finest expressions of Buddhist art.

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