Khon is Thailand’s classical, high art form of performance that dates back to the Ayutthaya era in Thai history. The French ambassador to the royal court of King Narai the Great of Ayutthaya, Simon de Lalubère, wrote in his memoir that Khon is a mask dance drama in which the dancers wear masks and carry weapons while dancing to the accompaniment of So (Thai fiddle) and other musical instruments. Khon integrates several performing arts: some elements of the presentation style and costume are taken from the Chak Nak Duekdamban (or “The Churning of the Sea of Milk”); some acrobatic movements are taken from Krabi Krabong; while the art of narration, dialogue narration, singing, and the Na Phat music (music that accompanies the performer’s travelling movement), are taken from the Nang Yai (grand shadow puppet theatre). Khon’s principal characteristic lies in the practice of wearing a mask -- all of the Khon performers, with the exception of the hero, the heroine, and the deities, must wear masks. The performance is accompanied by a lead singer and chorus, a story narrator and a dialogue narrator. Khon depicts the Ramakian story only (Thai version of the Ramayana epic).