{
  "id": 2386225,
  "title": "Thai children spend Sundays learning Khon at a temple",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/thai-children-spend-sundays-learning-khon-at-a-temple",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-21T13:26:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Khaosod English",
    "slug": "khaosod-english",
    "url": "https://www.khaosodenglish.com/featured/2026/08/21/thai-children-spend-sundays-learning-khon-at-a-temple/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Every Sunday, a group of young students convene at Wat Phai Lom temple in Nakhon Pathom to hone their skills in khon and traditional Thai dance, adorned in white T-shirts and vibrant red jong kraben loincloths. Accompanied by Thai music, the free classes are part of an initiative led by acting abbot Phra Khru Palad Sitthiwat, known as Luang Phi Namfon, in partnership with Thai cultural arts instructor Sutsanguan Thongma and a team of skilled teachers. Launched in July, the programme aims to provide children, students, and visitors an opportunity to learn and preserve traditional Thai performing arts, which organizers consider vital to Thailand's cultural identity and soft power.\n\nThe classes have also evolved into a weekend family affair. Parents, who bring their children to learn khon or dance, often join in themselves, transforming the temple grounds into a shared learning space for generations. Wallapa Wongsakdirin, whose daughter attends the khon class, chose the programme as it is free and offers her daughter the chance to learn an art form that demands discipline and dedicated practice. While waiting for her daughter, Wallapa decided to enroll in Thai dance classes herself.\n\nDr. Thidarat Suebyat, a lecturer at Nakhon Pathom Rajabhat University, believes that learning khon and Thai dance can help children develop concentration while fostering young people and the wider public to safeguard Thailand's traditional arts. The programme also embodies Luang Phi Namfon's goal of making the temple's space accessible for public benefit, creating a venue where people can learn, practice, and spend time together away from the digital world.",
  "summary": "Every Sunday morning, a group of young students gathers at Wat Phai Lom in Nakhon Pathom to practise the graceful movements of khon and traditional Thai dance, dressed in white T-shirts and bright red jong kraben loincloths as Thai music plays in the background. The free classes are part of an initiative at Wat Phai […] The post Thai children spend Sundays learning Khon at a temple appeared first…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}