| Thailand has long been famous for its culture of | | | | dance. Here, five pairs of female dancers don finger |
| beauty and grace. Among the popular aspects is its | | | | stalls made of flattened and polished brass as part of |
| dance. Thai Dance is admired for its gracefully | | | | their costumes. Fifteen centimeters long, these |
| beautiful movements, dazzling colored costumes, calm | | | | "fingernails" provide a pleasing extension to agile |
| rhythm and glowing presence. The dance pose is | | | | fingers, and have been so designed to highlight the |
| Thailand's most spectacular art figure, like other Asian | | | | supple hand movements and forms of Classical dance. |
| traditional forms. Thai dance is officially called "Fawn | | | | The "Fawn Tian" or Candle Dance, another of the |
| Thai." With many variations based on its cultural past, | | | | famous classical dances, is performed at night. The |
| Fawn Thai is generally presented by 4-6 pairs of | | | | four pairs of dancers form an inverted V and accent |
| dancers. The number varies according to the occasion | | | | the sparkling candles which each dancer holds |
| being celebrated. On State occasions, dancers count | | | | between forefinger and thumb. Their movements are |
| to the hundreds, bedecked in radiant costumes rich in | | | | executed with short steps and gentle forms and |
| color and design. | | | | impressive swaying of the shoulders and upper torso. |
| Classical and folk are the two major categories of | | | | This dance has been adapted and performed in many |
| Thai dance. Thai Classical Dance appears like a wheat | | | | countries worldwide. |
| field or flowers, gently bending and swaying in sync. | | | | Thai dances are unique, spectacular and beautifully |
| Classical dancers are usually called upon to perform | | | | amazing. Many, if not all, of Thailand's tourists seek |
| before royals and nobility for entertainment or | | | | out and enjoy watching these dances with the |
| relaxation. The essence of classical movements and | | | | kaleidoscopic costumes and refined elegance of |
| form has remained and is still passed on in every | | | | movements associated with Thai dance. Visitors to |
| dance school in Thailand today. | | | | Thailand almost always specify dance performances |
| Among the popular or famous of Thai dances is the | | | | as an important part of their itinerary to satisfy their |
| "Fawn Leb" dance, colloquially known as the fingernail | | | | pleasure in the exquisite dance routines. |