The Hua Hin Thai Women Group has founded a traditional dancing group to take part in the upcoming funeral of King Bhumibhol and pay respect to Thai monarchy from past to present.
The new dance group, with the Mayor of Hua Hin as an advisor and Ms. Thipphawan Suthat, a Hua Hin Hua Hi Hhhhteacher as chairperson, has around 200 members. An early objective is to perform classical Thai dances at the funeral of the late King in October. The group will also perform the dances at Rajabhakti Park to pay homage to all Thai monarchs and promote exquisite classical Thai dance to both Thai and foreign visitors to Hua Hin.
According to Ms. Thipphawan, the traditional dancing group will be launched on 3rd September at a Thai ceremony when art students pay respect to their masters organised by a famous Thai artist Bunlert Natphinit. This ceremony will also give the students morale according to traditional Thai belief. After the official ceremony for the group’s establishment, members will compose traditional Thai dancing music to honor Thai monarchs.
The lyrics will be created by academics and poets from Burapha University and Cholburi Vocational College. Ms. Thipphawan said that the dancing group was set up because members respect the
King Bhumibhol and the monarchs who ruled Thailand in the past. The group will foster and pass on classical Thai dancing arts to the younger generation in Hua Hin. The group is welcoming more female members of Thai and foreign nationalities. Members will practice classical Thai dance offered by the group every month.
“Traditional Thai dance started in the reign of King Rama II. Now, it is included in the area of the fine arts at university level. This consists of literary studies, painting, architecture, sculpture, music and dancing. This proves that Thailand is a culturally civilised and sophisticated country. Despite globalisation, Thai people, both young and old, should be eager to foster and pass on the knowledge to the next generation. Otherwise, it is forgotten,” concluded Ms. Thipphawan.
