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Organizing the Exhibition: Museum of the Nation          Because so many people were interested in visiting the museum, an exhibition was organized every year to celebrate the royal birthday. There were no permanent installations the objects were displayed for about three month and then removed. The event was organized by royal authority, and most of the objects belonged to the royal court - very few pieces came from private companies or shops.          For the royal birthday celebration of 1876, King Chulalongkorn issued a degree called "Organizing the Exhibition: Museum of the Nation". He invited royal family members, all levels of officials, the public, and monks to submit objects for display in one room, while royal objects would be displayed in another. These objects include antique and new golden objects, textiles made in India from Thai samples, ceramics, objects made by lathing and casting, carved pieces, jewelry, coral, pearl ornaments, weaponry and oddities. Any object that was particularly interesting to the King, either an oddity or an item made with very high quality craftsmanship would be rewarded.

This Exhibition was the largest ever arranged in Thailand. Many objects were submitted, because people were eager to share their collections, and people were eager to see the valuable and extraordinary objects made by Thais in Thailand. The exhibition was very popular, and the King began organizing the exhibitions or a regular basis - this was probably the origin of the widespread collection of items that has taken place since. Announcement of Requirements for Objects in the Exhibition         "This is the royal announcement to royal family members, officials, the public and monks, that for the royal birthday celebration of 1876, the King is pleased to organize an exhibition at the Museum Hall as in previous years; this particular year, objects from the royal household will be exhibited in one room and other objects will be exhibited in another hall. Objects to be installed should include beautifully made antique and new golden ornaments textiles made in India from samples sent from Thailand, lathed objects, ceramics, cast objects, carved objects, and paintings. Item can also include jewelry, pearl ornaments, colorful coral from the Thai Gulf, weaponry, and oddities. Any object shown in the Museum Hall that is particularly attractive or interesting will be rewarded." Issued in October 1876 List of Objects for Installation in the Museum Hall Ornamental jewelry and personal items: necklaces, belts, buttons, earrings, rings, hairpins, bracelets, anklets, hanging ornaments, pendants, betel leaf containers, trays, cosmetic jars, gems from Chantaburi and other places in Thailand, red, black and white corals, and objects used by goldsmiths and ornament makers A variety of textiles, including both high quality, expensive imported item and locally made pieces Robes, embroidery, pillows Thai local textiles Lathed items, carvings Models of buildings and housed made of paper and light wood; objects made of bamboo Weaponry : spears, swords, Kris (daggers), ceremonial (ritual) knives, and knives used to control elephants Live birds: doves, quail, and other birds Animals, fruits, and preserved animal in jars

Exhibition Celebrating the Bangkok Centennial          One of the most important exhibitions organized during the time of King Chulalongkorn was the "Exhibition Celebrating the Bangkok Centennial" at Sanam Luang in 1882. In 1881, the King asked royal family members, officials, and the general public to submit item for exhibition, to include agricultural and industrial products, handicrafts, antiquities, and scientific inventions. The King understood that the country had progresses and flourished through success in trading, agriculture, and other means of earning a living, and decreed that the products of and tools used in such enterprises should be exhibited. These items were all to be made by Thais, and either used in Thailand or exported. The purpose of the exhibition was to advertise the products (for interested buyers), to show what type of items were being sold abroad, and to illustrate the history of the tools. Examples of items to be exhibited included tools for rice and orchard farming, trees, flowers and grains, fishing traps, minerals, weaponry, medicines, looms and textiles, construction materials, etc. This exhibitions, in addition to promoting trade and methods of earning a living, also served the purpose of getting people interested in collecting cultural property, demonstrating the development and integrity of the Thai people over 100 years ago. Permanent Museum at Concordia Hall          Public exhibitions had been held at Concordia Hall for special occasions, such as the Royal birthday of the King and for state visitors since 1874. In 1880 King Chulalongkorn asked Henry Alabaster to establish the first permanent museum at Concordia Hall. When the 5th prince of the Wang Na died, in 1887, The rank of "Prince of the Wang Na" was abolished, and the Wang Na Palace was abandoned. King Chulalongkorn then moved the museum to the front part of the Wang Na Palace, and called it "The Royal Museum at Wang Na Palace". It was opened to the public every week, in conformity with the museums of Europe.           In rural areas where historical sites or important ancient cities were located, antiquities and art objects were collected at temples or ancient monuments. Because of this practice, the first rural, or provincial, museum was established at Ayuthaya . It was called the "Ayuthaya Museum", and was established in 1902. A short time later, other museums were established at Nakorn Si Thammarat in the south (the "Si Thammarat Museum"), Nakorn Pathom (the "Phra Pathom Chedi Museum"), Phitsanulok (the "Phitsanulok Museum"). And Lamphun (the "Lamphun Musuem"). Musuems have been continually developed throughout the Kingdom since then.

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