School Hall Poised to Become New Cultural Hub at Kings Bangkok

Here, he speaks to U.S. Ambassador Sean O’Neil and his wife, and Archbishop Wells, Apostolic Nuncio to Thailand, at a recent concert in memory of the Holocaust.

At a recent event for Old Etonians at the Royal Bangkok Sports Club, Thai National Artist Somtow Sucharitkul encountered one of the founders of Kings Bangkok, a new high-end international school connected to Wimbledon College in the UK. During their conversation, Somtow learned about the school's state-of-the-art performing arts venue. Located conveniently within Bangkok’s city limits, this modern facility seats 600 people in comfort, features excellent acoustics, ample parking, and even a shopping mall on the premises.

The theater was exactly what Somtow had envisioned: accessible, easy to fill, and equipped with modern sound systems and facilities. After discussing the potential with the management of Kings College International School, Somtow entered into a groundbreaking partnership to transform this venue into a new cultural hub for the region. His ambitious vision includes using the space for a variety of cultural events that would benefit both the local community and international artists.

Rising Cultural Landmark

Since the launch of the venue, Somtow and his Opera Siam have staged notable performances, including symphony concerts such as Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, a Holocaust memorial event praised by the Bangkok Post for its “emotionally understated performance of profound sincerity,” and the revival of his acclaimed opera The Silent Prince, which garnered critical acclaim from Austria’s Der Neue Merker for its “kaleidoscope of orchestral timbres and colors.”

Somtow’s vision for Kings Bangkok's Great Hall is quickly gaining recognition as a prime location for world-class performances, attracting major figures from both the diplomatic and cultural worlds. For instance, the recent performance at the venue saw the attendance of the American and Vatican ambassadors, underscoring the growing prominence of the venue.

Upcoming Performance: Mae Naak Opera Revival

American soprano Cassandra Black performs with Siam Sinfonietta at the Great Hall in Kings Bangkok

Looking ahead, one of the most eagerly anticipated events at Kings Bangkok will be the revival of Somtow’s opera Mae Naak on March 4th and 5th, 2026. This extraordinary production will bring together opera stars from Australia, Europe, Singapore, and Malaysia, alongside Thailand’s leading vocal talents such as Barbara Zion, Kridhima Siriwattanakamol, and Kittin Suchato. Mae Naak, which was last seen in London 15 years ago, is hailed for its stunning fusion of European operatic style with Thai folkloric music. London Fringe Review described it as “a stunning work” that blends Western operatic traditions with rich Thai musical heritage.

Somtow notes that the venue has given Opera Siam the opportunity to resume its role as the region’s only full-service opera company, after a lengthy hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Opera Siam continues to provide an exciting range of operatic works, from iconic “top ten” operas to more unique rarities and premieres of locally composed operas.

Future Productions at Kings Bangkok

Australian bass Damian Whiteley and award-winning Thai young actor Kittitat Kanjanabovorn in The Silent Prince at Kings Bangkok.

Looking further into the future, the cultural programming at Kings Bangkok will continue to flourish. In celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Bayreuth Festival in 2026, Opera Siam has invited Katharina Wagner, great-granddaughter of the legendary composer Richard Wagner and head of the Bayreuth Festival, to Thailand for a special collaboration. This event will involve members of the Bayreuth Festival Orchestra and will be a major highlight in the coming year.

Other exciting productions in the pipeline include a new take on Gluck’s Orfeo, interpreting the opera through Buddhist cosmologies, and a reimagined version of Mozart’s Così fan Tutte exploring contemporary Thai social dynamics. Somtow’s Petrushka, newly choreographed by UNESCO dance artist Darren Royston, will also be presented, alongside symphonic concerts featuring pieces like The Rite of Spring, the Sibelius Violin Concerto, Strauss tone poems, and a performance of Somtow’s Queen Sirikit Concerto in memory of Her Majesty the late Queen Mother.

Opera Siam will continue to perform in the Great Hall at Kings Bangkok for larger events requiring the venue's significant seating capacity while also offering more intimate events at locations like the Banyan Tree and unique locations through their Opera in Paradise program, which brings opera to exotic venues such as the Retreat resort on Koh Chang.

With its excellent facilities, accessibility, and a packed calendar of upcoming cultural programming, Kings Bangkok is well on its way to becoming the new cultural landmark in the region.

For more information on Opera Siam’s upcoming events, visit www.operasiam.com.