After undergoing a major three-year renovation, Thailand’s National Theatre is set to reopen to the public in May 2026, marking a significant milestone for the country’s cultural landscape.
The announcement was made during a press conference chaired by Phnombootra Chandrajoti, Director-General of the Fine Arts Department, titled “Raising the Curtain on the National Theatre: Revisiting the Glory of Thai Performing Arts”, held at the venue’s Small Theatre on Thursday.
The event also served as an invitation for the public to attend a series of free performances scheduled for May 9–10, serving as a test run for the theatre’s newly upgraded lighting, colour effects and sound systems.
According to the director-general, the National Theatre first opened on December 23, 1965, and is currently overseen by the Office of Performing Arts under the Fine Arts Department of the Ministry of Culture.
For more than six decades, the venue has played a central role in supporting performances and promoting Thailand’s national arts and culture, serving government agencies, private organisations, educational institutions and the general public at both national and international levels.
Over the years, the theatre has undergone multiple phases of modernisation and repair, with the latest major renovation initiated in 2022 following a budget allocation by the Fine Arts Department.
The most recent upgrade was designed to elevate the National Theatre to international standards, with all systems and equipment aligned with European benchmarks commonly adopted by leading theatres worldwide.
Key improvements include the reinforcement of the main performance stage, the installation of a stage lift, and extensive upgrades to electrical engineering and electronic systems.
A centralised, computer-based control system has also been introduced, alongside a fire alarm system, a dedicated safety control room, and an upgraded electrical system in line with current building standards.
In addition, the sanitary engineering infrastructure has been comprehensively enhanced, including the implementation of a treatment system that complies with current legal requirements.
The theatre’s lighting, sound, visual and performance machinery systems have also been fully upgraded, with the sound system incorporating new technologies that allow for adjustable acoustic settings tailored to different types of performances.
Following the press conference, the director-general led officials and members of the media on a tour of the renovated venue, where all seating has been replaced, with 1,001 new seats installed. Demonstrations of the upgraded sound system were also conducted.
As part of the reopening programme, the Fine Arts Department has scheduled free public test performances on May 9 and 10 at the National Theatre on Rachini Road.
On Saturday, May 9, the programme will begin at 10am with a Western orchestra performance titled “Classic Meets Now: Sweet Songs of Yesteryear, From Then to Today”. This will be followed at 1.30pm by a Khon performance from the Ramakien, episode “Ketsara Thamala Phli Chiwan”.
Siripong Taweesup, Director of the Office of Performing Arts under the Fine Arts Department, explained that this particular Khon episode was selected to showcase the theatre’s newly installed scent system, as the character Ketsara Thamala is depicted as a monkey that emits a fragrant aroma.
On Sunday, May 10, the programme will continue at 10am with “The Artful Sounds of the Land by Fine Arts Department Artists”, a Thai music and vocal performance.
At 1.30pm, audiences can attend a Lakhon Phanthang performance, “Phu Chana Sip Thit”, episode “Mae Thap Khon Mai”, starring National Artist Pakorn Pornpisut alongside performers from the Office of Performing Arts.
A demonstration of the Khon performance from the Ramakien, episode “Ketsara Thamala Phli Chiwan”, was also staged during the press conference.
Members of the public can reserve tickets for the performances from April 24, with 1,001 seats available per round.
Tickets can be reserved and collected in person at the building in front of the Phra Phikanet statue within the Bunditpatanasilpa Institute of Fine Arts on Rachini Road in Bangkok’s Phra Nakhon district, during official working hours.
Alternatively, tickets can be reserved online via the National Theatre’s official website, with a limit of two tickets per person, or by scanning the designated QR code.
Those wishing to collect physical tickets as souvenirs may do so at the public relations point in front of the National Theatre between May 6 and 8 from 9am to 4pm.
Organisers noted that uncollected tickets within the specified timeframe may be released.
