Dance

The dance techniques of the demon and monkey characters generally follow the style of Thai khon. The technique of the noble male and female characters is more relaxed compared with khon. Finger movements are not so backward bent as in khon and, as a whole, the dance seems to be based on ram wong, a kind of group folk dance, popular around Laos as well as in Thailand.

Ram wong is characterised by simple undulating dance movements, while the hands repeat curvy movement patterns. Ram wong is part of temple fares and other communal festivities, but it is also performed by the Royal Ballet Theatre. Courtly group dances combine ram wong with the gestures and poses of the classical dance of Thailand and Cambodia.