Hundreds of performers and visitors gathered Saturday night at a shadow puppet show in central Thailand, although it was intermittent due to heavy rain.

The three-day event, which runs until Sunday, is aimed at showcasing the traditional shadow puppetry art through a series of activities, exhibitions, and seminars, while promoting Phetchaburi province as a tourist destination.

The grand opening was held Saturday evening at King Mongkut Memorial Park with a parade, shadow puppetry exhibitions and different sorts of shadow puppet performances.

Artists from Thailand, Malaysia, India and other countries and regions brought their unique puppet shows to the event.

A traditional Thai shadow play form, named Nang Yai, was popular among viewers.

Unlike other shadow puppet forms, performers of Nang Yai are not hidden but can be seen with their puppets on the stage. Together with their large shadow puppets made of painted buffalo skin, they danced to the story and live music in front of a warmly lit background.

Like many ancient arts, shadow puppetry in Thailand is in danger of disappearing. The local government hopes to attract more young people to this art through the festival's cultural activities and workshops.