King Prajadhipok Museum Part II

After almost an hour walk around the first floor and read through the exhibition of Queen Rambhai Barni's life, I walked upstairs to the second floor and spotted something so cool that I have never seen before. It is a window. The window that made I felt like I was a pirate and opening an old treasure chest in a treasure hunting movie. 

When I turned window knob to the left, I felt like the window knob pulled the rail together and unlocked the window and when I turned the window knob back to the right, it stretched the rail to lock the window again. I could hear the sound of window clicking when I was opening and closing it (very lucky that no one saw me doing that).

On the second floor, the exhibition mainly shows the King Prajadhipok's youth, education, ordination, marriage, government service, the royal residences in England and the King's cremation in 1941. But what also impress me is the comparative paralleled timeline of important historical events in Siam and other countries during World War I and World War II. It is not super detail but I could get some ideas of what was going on. King Prajadhipok loved photography, movie and music as his passion showed in the King's personal items. I spotted an interesting item which is a tea set. 

This set is like a premium gift from a seller. The product is milk and the brand is 'Mam Toon Hua' which means a western girl holding a small bucket on her head. Next to the tea pot is a jug with red bow printing with red word 'Nestle' printed in Thai. I wondered if it is the same Nestle as Nestle (TH) Ltd. I think it is possibly the same because Nestle (TH) just celebrates its '120 years' in Thailand recently.

King Prajadhipok is a collector. His collection of lighter is really cool. Each lighter is very creative and inspired such as Penguin lighter, pilot lighter, Aquarius lighter, Bottles of liqueur lighter, the globe lighter, dancing lady lighter.  I like the one with a guy mixing cocktail the most. I think some of these should be used as small lamp or torch rather than lighter because some designs are quite difficult to take anywhere. I do really appreciate these designed works.

To be Continued .. King Prajadhipok Museum Part III

King Prajadhipok Museum Part I

Address: Lan Luang Road, near Phan Fah Lilat Bridge, Bangkok Thailand.

Tel: 0-2280-3413-4                  Fax: 0-2281-6820

www.kingprajadhipokmuseum.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/kingprajadhipokmuseum

Opening Hours: Daily (except Monday, New Year and Songkran Holiday) 9 AM - 4 PM

No entrance fee

Available for walk-in and group visitors. Group visitor is recommended to call the museum in advance for proper arrangement.

How to go: 

1. No air-cond. bus route 2, 15, 44, 47, 59, 60

2. Air-cond. bus route 44, 79, 183, 511, 556

3. Walking from Democracy Monument opposite direction to Grand Palace

King Prajadhipok Museum is dedicated to the memory of King Rama VII and Queen Rambhai Barni. The museum is established in 2001 under an administration of King Prajadhipok's Institute. The museum houses in the 3-storey heritage light green building which formerly occupied by the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning. 

On December 7, 2002 H.R.H. Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn inaugurated the Museum on behalf of His Majesty the King.

On January 9, 2008 H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presided over the opening ceremony for the permanent exhibition of Her Majesty Queen Rambhai Barni, the Queen of King Rama VII, on the first floor of the museum.

Before entering, the visitors are required to leave their belonging such as bag, bottle of water in a locker. Introductory pamphlets are available in English and Japanese at the information front desk. The heart of King Prajadhipok Museum is story of life of King Rama VII and Her Majesty Queen Rambhai Barni and a part of revolution during the Seventh Reign of Siam.

On the first floor, the exhibition tells the life, activities and the personality of Queen Rambhai Barni (Thais actually pronounce 'Rampai Pannee'). The story starts with her childhood, her teenage life, her royal wedding, her marriage life, her companion to her husband, King Rama VII, abroad to England after the King 's abdication, her life during World War II and her last thirty years of serenity in Chantaburi Province. I do like the picture of Queen Rambhai Barni in various outfits in different occasions. They look beautiful even in black and white. It is such a regret that we didn't have colored camera last 70 years ago. Her belongings and items are also displayed. I like the design of a 70 years old (or more) classic refrigerator (see below figure). It is a regret that I can't see inside and they won't let me do it. The shape looks like a microwave with  oven-style door. I wondered if its door made of leather. The design looks fit for apartment or condominium livings who do not cook. Body of the fridge made of wood ... that 's pretty cool for me.

The classic refridgerator

Other design stuffs that impress me is Tape Measure. Her Majesty Queen Rambhai Barni also possessed very nice tape measures for example bus tape measure, pear shape (I think) tape measure, Indian elephant tape measure and flower tape measure. Those might make tailor's life or ladies who like making dress more Kawai (means pretty in Japanese).

Four style of tape measure

I think Her Majesty Queen Rambhai Barni loved Schubert. There is a gramophone record of Schubert Symphony No.9 in C Major 'The Great' that she listened during her stay in England. I am not a big fan of classical music so here is the link on youtube I can find.

Schubert Symphony No.9 in C Major 'The Great'

Continue in King Prajadhipok Museum Part II