Performing Arts Saba Rum Performance Description: For over a hundred years (since 1907) there has been a group of ethnic Burmese immigrants known as the ‘Mon’ living in strict adherence to tradition in an area known as the Liap Khlong ‘Mon’ Community. Saba is a “mon” folk play in which the players toss a hardwood disk to strike and knock down their opponents. There are many types of Saba folk play including Saba Noom Soa (Saba for young men and women), Saba Toy (Tossing Saba), and Saba Rum (Dance Saba). Saba Rum was developed from Saba Toy in that the play was adapted to a performance-entertainment form. A dancing element was added to the Saba folk play which required all players to dance before tossing the disk. Some players who cannot dance must dance in order to fulfill the rules. Thus, the Saba players must overcome the challenges of dancing elements. This makes Saba a fun performance during the Songkran festival. In Bangkok and provinces nearby, the Mon community in Lat Krabang arranges Saba Ram is not considered as a folk play as it used to be but a show during the Songkran Festival instead. (Raman Sarapun, interview, 14th April 2011) Phone: Contact the Liap Khlong ‘Mon’ Community's leader, Acting Second Lieutenant Raman Sarapun, at 6681 867-2810 (within Thailand dial 081 instead of 6681) Days & hours: 16th April Beginning at 20:00 Location: Liap Khlong Mon Community, Soi Chalong Krung 2, Chalong Krung Road, Thap Yao Sub-District, Lat Krabang District 10520 - Soi is Thai for a temple. Bus: 147. By Car: Use the Chalong Krung Road to the address. By Airport rail link: Get off at Lat Krabang Station and take a taxi to the address. Click to MAP