Hun lakorn lek puppets are a modern adaptation of hun lakorn puppets. The modern version is less complex to maneuver by the
puppeteers. Traveling shows like this one entertain crowds at temple fairs across Thailand.
The hun Luang puppets of Rama II's time are now found only in museums, but a vibrant tradition of puppet theatre still thrives. A Thai National Artist, Sakorn Yangkiosod, popularly known as Joe Louis, has continued a tradition of puppets known as hun lakorn lek, which were first created during the reign of Rama VI (1910-1926). Similar in size to the hun luang marionettes; three puppeteers stand behind the puppets and use rods rather than strings to manipulate them. Sakorn's new Joe Louis Theatre located in the Lumphini Night Bazaar holds nightly performances of these puppets, performing various episodes of the Ramakien. Magnificently designed and executed puppets are on display in the theater, as are a selection of khon masks and Ramakien dolls. The troupe also makes public performances at venues in other cities throughout Thailand.
Yet another form of puppet that tells the Ramakien tale to the masses is the rod puppet or hun krabog. These are small, half body puppets which are based on a design which originated in China. Although the original Chinese characters and their operas are still popular, the hun krabog also have been constructed to portray Ramakien characters and perform in the classical style of the khon.A subject as known and loved as the Ramakien could not help but finding its way into a most fundamental aspect of culture; langdage. Colloquial expressions in Thai abound that relate to the tale. A particularly complex or detailed task may be described as yung yang kap Ramakien, or 'as complicated as the Ramakien'. Someone who has undergone much hardship will be described as ngom Phra Ram, or 'as bruised as Rama'. Place names based on the Ramakien abound as well, such as the lake in Lopburi Province known as thalae chub sorn, or the lake where the arrow was dipped' in reference to the belief that Rama consecrated a magic arrow by dipping it in this lake.