The art of "Khon" embodies such a stylized form of performing art that it seems that one performance differs little from another. The elaborate costumes, dance choreography, mimic expressions and music accompaniment never seem to change. Yet a Khon performance presents such a kaleidoscope of visual and au­ral senses that the aficionados of the art at­tend the performances as often as they can and still enjoy the experience. In fact, they zealously take note of every detail, murmuring and voicing their approval of a part that is well done, and discuss at length their disapproval of parts that they dislike.

For those who have not yet been introduced to the intricacies of Khon, the ex­perience is memorable, but difficult to com­prehend. They have yet to gain knowledge that the costumes and masks have remained the same for centuries because they serve to iden­tify the individual dramatis personae. They soon recognize the mimic gestures as meaningful ex­pressions that serve to neutralize the expres­sionless, even bland, faces of the unmasked dancers and the masks. Just as soon will they realize that certain pieces of music express a particular dramatic nuance, such as the one used for crying to and another used to accom­pany the battle scenes.

Most important for our consider­ation is the fact that Khon is an element of the integrated nature of the Classical Thai Arts, closely related to mural painting, sculpture and architecture, as well as the high crafts in our classical tradition. The Khon performance is not just a theatrical experience, but underscores the very nature of the Thai identity and all things that we uphold as the pride of being Thai