Thai puppet or Hun Lakhon Lek requires three puppeteers working together to bring rhythmic movement to this single puppet, a feat made possible thanks to the creative abilities of the creator of Hun Lakhon Lek. It represents a form of entertainment that has long given amusement to Thais.
Today, hun Lakhon Lek puppetry survives solely as a result of the Joe Louis Troupe, headed by Sakorn Yangkhiawsod, 1996 National Artist. Thankfully, the Joe Louis Theater provides a outlet for sustaining this particular branch of artistry.
Selections from the Ramayana epic are used in performances in an attempt to preserve Hun Lakhon Lek puppetry.
The great thing about this theater is its ability to transcend language barriers. Each performance has both Thai and English narration, which gives local and foreign audiences the ability to appreciate the role of each puppet in delightful way.
Joe Louis Theater can be found at Suan-lum Night Bazaar in Bangkok
