The Ban Nang Talung Suchart Subsin is a small museum in Nakhon Si Thammarat dedicated to Nang Talung, a traditional shadow puppet theater, which also features live performances. It is named after Lung Suchart, one of the masters of this art form, who initiated and popularized the culture of shadow puppetry in the province. The museum houses a large collection of antique puppets, a small workshop demonstrating leather puppetry, and, upstairs, a gallery showcasing the history of this art and its iconic characters. These include angels, demons, gentlemen, actors, ghosts, a king, jesters, and many more. The highlight of any visit, however, is the performance, where you have the right to see both sides of the curtain (please call in advance, as performances are on request; the phone number is below). The Ban Nang Talung is one of the main tourist attractions in Nakhon Si Thammarat, and many Thai tourists come here to experience the Nang Talung performances. The museum is just a five-minute walk from Wat Phra Mahathat Worama Wihan. The downside of this place—due to the lack of foreign tourists—is that the information panels, exhibits, and explanations are exclusively in Thai. While there is one person who offers explanations in English, they are considerably shorter.

Entry is free, but the Nang Talung performance costs 100 THB – the main reason to visit! A minimum group size of 4 people is required for the performance; otherwise, there may be an extra charge. This is standard practice. The museum is open from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, but groups can arrive later. It's best to call 075 346 394 the day before. Otherwise, your chances of seeing a shadow puppet show are slim. However, I can't guarantee that you'll reach someone who speaks English on the phone. Alternatively, you could ask your hotel reception to call for you.

The Nakhon Si Thammarat Nang Talung Museum is about a ten-minute walk from Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan.

How to get there

How do you get to the Shadow Puppet Museum? The Nakhon Si Thammarat Nang Talung Museum is about a ten-minute walk from Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan.