Bangkok Commemoration Museum: Symbols of Endurance
Nida Tunsuttiwong
During my recent visit to the Siam Flag Museum (read more) in Lad Phrao, I also got the chance to visit two other remarkable museums – the Antique Phonograph & Gramophone Museum (read more) and the Bangkok Commemoration Museum, which are located within the same compound.
While Pluethipol Prachunphol was responsible for founding the Siam Flag Museum and the Antique Phonograph & Gramophone Museum, Jantakarn Khloisai’s passion for the Thai capital and its history inspired her to establish the Bangkok Commemoration Museum.
Happy anniversaries
Jantakarn says since that since the start of the Rattanakosin era (1782-present), when Bangkok was formally established as the capital of Siam, several key events have been organized to commemorate this historic step.
Wat Phra Kaew (the Temple of the Emerald Buddha) was established in 1782 to mark the beginning of the Rattanakosin era. To mark the 100th anniversary in 1882, it was announced that the temple would undergo a comprehensive renovation. At the same time, a major exhibition was held at Sanam Luang, a large multi-purpose plot of land located in front of the temple. Among the exhibits on display were the kingdom’s first telephone, examples of rare animals, along with books, agricultural products and numerous other items of interest.
In 1932, during the reign of King Rama VII (1925-1935), the king ordered the construction of the Memorial Bridge and a statue of King Rama I as a way of marking the 150th anniversary of the Rattanakosin era.
During my recent visit, Jantakarn ran some rare film footage of the bridge’s opening ceremony, while explaining that the reason the bridge is green is because the king was born on a Wednesday (green represents Wednesday in Thai culture). The opening ceremony was widely reported in foreign media, as evidenced by a copy of an Italian newspaper called La Domenica del Corriere on display at the museum. The report fills the whole of the newspaper’s front page.
Celestial emblem
A large number of government agencies and private companies participated in the events organized to commemorate the 200th (Bicentennial) anniversary of the Rattanakosin era in 1982.
A special logo was designed for the anniversary, featuring two angels facing each other, which was used on numerous products, including books, coins, savings boxes and tableware. During an informative tour of the museum led by Jantakarn, visitors were shown a collection of commemorative coins that were produced to mark the anniversary and awarded to those who helped to organize the related events. She also brought to our attention a form of trophy presented to those who participated in the events commemorating the 150th anniversary of Bangkok (and the Rattanakosin era) in 1932.
All three museums are only open on Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm. Reservations must be made in advance. Admission costs 100 baht (US$3.08) per person, which covers entry to the Bangkok Commemoration Museum, the Siam Flag Museum and the Antique Phonograph & Gramophone Museum.
For further information, please contact Tel: +66 (0)2 939 9920, +66 (0)81 623 3223, or visit http://www.bangkokmuseum.org.
Transport connections:
Car: Drive down Lad Phrao Road until you reach soi 43. Turn left into the small street and then take the next right. The museum is located near the end of this soi on the left-hand side of the road.
Credit: TAN Network (www.tannetwork.tv)
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