An ancient world of swords, warriors and folklore roars to life on the darkened street, offering a momentary escape from the modern-day bustle of Bangkok’s unstoppable development. On stage, the Chinese opera troupe acts out dramatic tales centered around themes of loyalty, honesty, and family to the sound of clashing cymbals and flutes. For centuries, troupes like this have performed throughout Thailand. But the number of shows has dwindled in the era of smartphones, cinemas and Netflix, a vanishing art in a city of high-rises and mega-malls.