Wat Ban Don Shadow Play Museum, Rayong

The Wat Ban Don Shadow Play Museum is a museum at Wat Ban Don, a Thai Buddhist temple in Rayong, Thailand. The museujm displays shadow puppets, or Nang Yai, which are popular in southern Thailand. Many of the shadow puppets were brought here from Phatthalung in southern Thailand in 1887.

How the shadow puppets of southern Thailand ended up in eastern Thailand? In the late 19th century, the ruler of Rayong, Phraya Sri Samut Phokhaphai Chokshitsongkhram, heard of the shadow play performances of Phatthalung. He got in touch with the troupe and invited them to Rayong. He was so delighted by the performances that he bought 200 pieces of shadow play puppets, and hired the troupe to teach his subjects in Rayong how to perform shadow plays.

The shadow play stage at Wat Ban Don dates back to 1887, when the shadow puppets were brought over. Over time, the performing art became dated as the people turned to more modern form of entertainment.

In 1980, there was a revival of shadow play performances, with a competition held among villages. Since then, the art become a part of the Thai culture that is still being performed.

At Wat Ban Don Shadow Play Museum, visitors get to see the age-old shadow puppets, the sets, and watch a shadow play performance.

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