AN INTIMATE SECRET PLAYS OUT IN JOMTIEN

At the end of a quiet Jomtien lane sits an unassuming villa that, once a month, becomes Thailand's most intimate concert hall. With a seating capacity of just 50, Ben's Theatre is the inspired creation of Ben Hansen, a Dutch photojournalist turned cultural host who now runs his music venue as a charitable venture.

- WILLIAM NIALL MORRIS

Established almost by accident in 2004, Hansen rolls out a small red carpet during high season to welcome an eclectic mix of nationalities into his living room, all bound by their shared devotion to classical music.

Before the concert, I found myself chatting with two charming English ladies over a glass of white wine (included in the ticket price). Locals and visitors mingled easily, united by the thrill of finding something refined and elegant in a resort better known for its neon lights and noisy clubs.

Such is the intimacy of a concert at Ben's Theatre that it feels more like a shared secret that hasn't yet been discovered by the wider world. The atmosphere was relaxed but, once the lights dim, a hush descended. This isn't a salon where people casually drift in and out — far from it. The discerning audience listened with genuine respect for the performance. Even children sat quietly beside their parents, absorbing the music with admirable concentration.