Chinese opera has long been a staple of life in the Thai-Chinese community (about 14% of Thais are of Chinese descent). As Chinese emigrated to Thailand they brought the opera with them. Chinese opera though is a dying art form - more and more people are going to the local movie theaters or online for their entertainment and forsaking the opera.

Opera performers live an itinerant life, traveling from temple to temple for performances. They sleep in tents in the temple courtyards or hammocks slung beneath the stage.

A performance can last anywhere from three to four hours. Sometimes just two or three people will be in the audience. But the show must go on.