While Bangkok, fondly known as the “Big Mango” offers an eclectic selection of dining venues and experiences, few or any can truly rival the unique and original concept of the renown Joe Louis Puppet Theater and Restaurant which is located at Asiatique the Riverfront. This restaurant not only offers an authentic array of traditional Thai cuisine for the taste buds but also a unique display for one of the treasured lost art of puppetry in Thailand.
Conveniently located at the front entrance of Asiatique the Riverfront, it is hard to miss with its contemporary design style and a blend between a casual and fine dining ambiance. There are various puppets on display at the counter to give a hint of what is to come as part of your dining experience. The upper level of the restaurant is making way for a new puppet theater for those who only want to watch the show but at the moment any full length performance is only available by special invitation at private performances.
The Joe Louis Puppet Theater and Restaurant started out as a traditional Thai puppet outfit that was passed from several generations back. It is now considered one of the national treasures of Thailand and under the patronage of HM Queen Sirikit of Thailand to revive this ancient traditional art form. This puppet troupe has won numerous international awards and accolades for best puppetry performances and is recognized as a master craft in Thailand. Major performances are only available for private functions but you can get a glimpse of these puppets during a dinner performance at their restaurant. Each puppet requires at least 3 performers to manipulate the intricate movements of the puppet.
The restaurant serves a good selection of traditional Thai cuisine based on olden recipes with the freshest ingredients. Prices are reasonable for the quality of the ingredients and cooking. Recommended dishes are the mixed Thai appetizers which comes in 4 sampling varieties per order and consists of the traditional Thai spring roll, a light pastry basket with meat fillings and a special chili sauce, deep fried minced shrimp on a slice of toast and Thai spicy fish cakes. Other signature dishes from the menu are spicy wing bean salad, and off course their varieties of authentic old-style curries which puts a zing to your taste buds with all the aromatic spices and herbs used in the cooking.
The puppet performance at Joe Louis restaurant starts around 7.00 pm on Fridays to Sundays only. You will be entertained to a short introduction of the puppetry arts and a performance by the lovable character of Hanuman the monkey god in tales of the Ramayana together with another character, the Princess Sita. This is the only time you will be able to watch just such a marvelous display of ancient Thai puppetry and be able to interact with the puppets as they seemingly come to live at the hands of the skilled puppeteers. Joe Louis the Art of Thai Cuisine and Thai Puppet Theater is one of the top 10 things to do in Bangkok whenever you visit the Big Mango.
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hello GENEVIEVE PENDRAGEON,
I’m Mr Chan.
I’d like to reserve a table for sixteen 1 July 2016. We’ll be there around half past six.
But I cannot fine the email or other details, would you help me ?How can I reserve the table?
Dear Mr Chan, thank you for your note. I wil inform them. Is that day a Friday or weekend so I can mention you would like to se the puppets and can I have your full name for the booking?
Dear Mr Chan, I have reserved the table for you but can you please let me have your contact number for the restaurant and they will also be sending over the menu list for you to pick. You may contact me at this number +66954903970 or email me at pointblankcritique@gmail.com or line me pendrageon
Would you kindly inform us as to how we reserve a table for dinner and puppet show? We have a young daughter that we would like to take tomorrow, July 24 (Saturday) at 6:30pm. Many thanks.
Hi Shannon, I will inform Joe Louis about your booking tomorrow at 6.30 pm. Could I know for how many persons and do you know how to get there?
If you are already in Bangkok, you can give me a call. +66954903970 is my Thai number and you can also use the LINE app with the number to contact me
Hi Shannon
Can you please confirm if you are going today at 6.30 and how many persons please?
Hi Shannon, please confirm the dates because the 24th is Sunday not Saturday so we are unable to confirm your reservation as we are not sure you mean Saturday or Sunday (24th)