Royal exhibits
Those who perceive that an archive is a place just for storing old documents are certain to change their mind after visiting the Rama 9 Archives.One of the highlights here is a bilingual (English and Thai) exhibition on HM the King’s biography and his decades of munificence towards the Thai people.
The exhibition is showcased on an area of 9,000m2 in two three-storey buildings. The first building houses a complete compendium of HM the King’s biographical data. As visitors step into the first salon, they will encounter a video presentation that depicts HM the King’s activities throughout his 60 years on the throne. Then, the path leads into the interior of a green house that reflects the architectural style that was popular 40 years ago. The walls are decorated with HM the King’s and HM the Queen’s portraits, and magazine covers that show pictures of HM the King are displayed on a tea table. The scene replicates the atmosphere in 1971, the year of HM the King’s silver jubilee.
Mrs Salinee said that the setting reflects the people’s loyalty and love for HM the King during that period.
There are also models of three other periods: the year (1988) when His Majesty was recognised as the longest-serving King of Thailand (42 years and 22 days at that time); HM’s golden jubilee in 1996; and HM’s diamond jubilee in 2006.
These milestones are represented by period replicas of a barbershop, a grocery store and a bookshop, respectively. As a bonus, visitors can also witness models of equipment and furniture used during those periods. The next hall is painted in grey to resemble the winter’s day – Dec 5, 1927 – at the birthplace of HM the King, which was at Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, Massachusetts, in the USA.
Visitors can see a replica of King Bhumibol Adulyadej Square, which was built in Cambridge to commemorate the birth of HM the King.