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" Voices From The Past "

When Thai people first began collecting old objects, what did they collect?          The people in the past began collecting valuable objects as household decorations in order to display wealth and/or status. Collectors were from the upper classes - royalty or the wealthy. The objects they collected can be divided into two categories: 1) historical, including archeological objects, art, icons and amulets, and 2) oddities - strange or rare objects.          The search for and collection of historical and archeological objects for the purpose of study began during the reign of King Mongkut, 1851 - 1868, of the Bangkok Period. At this time people became interested in studying the past, including persons form history. Historical and archeological objects from ruins, including "strange" objects, were collected and brought to Bangkok. This collection of miscellaneous objects became the foundation for the later establishment of the museum.          During this period, Thailand had relations with many foreign countries, the society was peaceful and prosperous, the Thai people had more time to appreciate art works, and collecting of various objects began.          An article titled "Collecting a Varity of Item", from the book Vajirayaniviset, Vol.4, from Chulalongkorn, classified objects collected in Siam into the following 12 categories, including both natural and man-made objects: 1) postal stamps, 2) personal seals, 3) money, 4) photographs, 5) crystal, 6) ceramic, 7) smoking pipes, 8) plants, 9) preserved plants and animals, 10) ox horns, 11) walking sticks, and 12) shells and stones.

Rajruedee Hall - The First Thai Museum          Thai people did not originally store collected objects in a permanent place - objects collected by one generation were normally passed down to the next generation, which might or might not have been interested in maintaining them. As a result, many early collections were either scattered or completely lost. King Mongkut of the Bangkok Period, 1851-1868, was the first to collect objects for storage in a permanent place. In 1853 constructed the Rajruedee Hall at the royal Grand Palace for his permanent collection of antiquities and art objects - gifts from abroad were also displayed there.          Objects collected by him at that time included such important pieces as the stone inscription from the Mango Grove Monastery, and the stone manangsilabat, or slap of stone used for preaching or as a "throne". These objects were moved from the old city of Sukhothai during the future King Mongkut's visit to that area in 1833 (while King Mongkut was still serving in the monkhood). Sir John Bowring, a former British Ambassador who paid a visit to King Mongkut at Rajruedee Hall in 1855, wrote about the objects displayed there: "... many kind of ornaments, including natural objects such as oddly-shaped rhinoceros horns and elephant tusks, sculptures from Europe, vases, ceramics from china, insignia of former kings, beautifully engraved ivory and wood objects ornaments of gold, silver and gems, and Buddha images, one of which was made of solid gold."

Prapatpipittapan Hall (Royal Museum)          In 1856 King Mongkut established the Royal Museum, called Prapatpipittaphan, in a Western-style building at the Grand Palace. Objects were moved from Rajruedee Hall to form this collection. This served as his private museum for the use of the royal family and state visitors. The name of the hall where the objects were displayed (Pipittaphan, or "musuem") later came to be associated with any museum building. The Thai Museum Travels Abroad          Collecting objects, including odd or strange items, is popular all over the world. Collecting is also a good way to demonstrate the civilization and progress of a nation. Exhibitions of art objects were organized by many countries throughout the world, and during the reign of King Mongkut, 1851-1868, many items made by Thai artisans were displayed in these exhibitions. In 1862 there was an international museum exhibition in London, and King Mongkut sent both natural and man-made objects to be displayed. This was the first time items made in Thailand had ever been exhibited in Europe, and the exhibition there made Thailand well known to Europeans.          Emperor Napoleon III of France sent an invitation to king Mongkut to participate in a world -class museum exhibition at Champ de Mars in Paris in 1867, which King Mongkut was pleased to accept.          That great exhibition, or exposition, included art objects from many countries. Siam's contribution to the exposition illustrated many facets of Siam: royal regalia, golden treasures, silverware, weaponry, musical instruments, tools, and a variety of utensils, especially those for use in the royal court. These objects were beautifully exhibited and drew great interest from visitors.          Siam was awarded a golden coin in recognition of product such as cotton textiles, tobacco and grains. They also received special recognition for weaponry, textiles and swallows' nests. Prizes were awarded in a special ceremony presided over by Emperor Napoleon III on the Champs d'Elysees, on July 1, 1867. The France also presented the Siamese with a special honorary award for a model of a royal barge that was displayed next to a gondola for the France Emperor.         The beauty and value of the objects made by Thais demonstrated the talent and dignity of the Thai people to a foreign audience more than 100 years ago.          Announcement of Authority to Collect Objects for London Exposition  "I, King Mongkut of the Kingdom of Siam, to demonstrate my good relationship with the King of Britain, announce an upcoming exposition of oddities from many countries to be held in London this year. I hereby appoint an official representative to collect and export, from within the Kingdom as well as neighboring vassal states, suitable items to be included in the exposition in London in 1862. These items should include natural and man-made objects. I would like for everyone to be aware that the King of Siam will rely on Mr.William Parker Hammond, Esquire, as the representative of the Kingdom of Siam, and he should be extended full cooperation. To make this announcement official and significant, I, King Mongkut of Siam affix my royal seal, with a date of 12 February 1862." First Opening of the Museum to the Public          It was determined by King Chukakongkorn that the objects collected privately during the reign of King Mongkut should be exhibited at Concordia Hall, in the former clubhouse of the Royal Guards, at the royal Grand Palace. It was opened to royal family members, high and low ranking officials, foreign consult and the general public at a gala celebration on the occasion of the royal birthday on 19 September 1874- King Chulalongkorn's 21st birthday. That first exhibition was organized by two individuals, Phraya pas sakorn - Wong, a Thai leader, and Henry Alabaster, a foreign member of the royal guards, under a projects entitled "The Establishment of the Museum".

The first museum at Concordia Hall was divided into three areas: 1) Various objects including animals, minerals or oddities, objects made in a neat and beautiful fashion, and a variety of old objects, 2) royal regalia and other royal utensils, and 3) objects and tributary items from abroad.          Thai establishment of the museum was recorded in the book Darunowat, Vol. I, in 1874. The exhibition was prepared in seven days, and was viewed by 70,000 to 80,000 visitors. It was said at the time that these objects had never been seen before King Chulslongkorn, out of kindness and a desire to educate his subjects, was very pleased to open the museum to the public for the first time on this special occasion.

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