Ever wonder what kind of toys His Majesty the King played with in his early years? Well, a special exhibition being held at the Queen Savang Vadhana Museum inside Sra Pathum Palace is where you will find the answer.
An exhibition room inside Phra Tamnak Yai, where HM the King’s toys are on display.
As part of the celebrations of His Majesty the King's 7th cycle anniversary, organised by the Queen Savang Vadhana Foundation, the royal exhibition gives for the first time a chance for the public to learn about his childhood through his toys.
Some items, like the wooden and galvanised boats, can be linked to the monarch's strong passion for sailing while growing up, while others, including mechanical wooden toys, are believed to have nurtured his imagination and creativity and later led him to design mechanical devices for Royal Development projects, like the Chaipattana Aerotor, an invention that helps fight against water pollution.
HM the King’s wooden cart toy.
The exhibition features both locally made and imported toys, as well as popular and common toys for little boys. Visitors to the museum will also get to see some of His Majesty's personal effects, including a small bathtub used when he was a young child, a typewriter, and a vintage camera, which is one of his most favourite gadgets that accompanies him almost everywhere he goes _ even until now.
The royal toys on display are part of the grand exhibition "Borom Kasat Wattana Sathan" ("The Place Where the King Grew Up"), which also comprises a photo exhibition under three themes: the King in his Childhood; the Royal Wedding of Their Majesties; and the King and the Princess Mother. One display features photos and historical documents, many of which have never previously been seen by public eyes.
One particularly remarkable item in the exhibition is a telegram Prince Mahidol, who at the time was studying in the US, sent to Queen Savang Vadhana (the Queen Grandmother) to inform her of the birth of his youngest son on December 5, 1927. Then the following year, Prince Mahidol returned to Siam with his family after graduation and took Sra Pathum Palace as his residence. The palace, nestled among beautiful green lanscapes, is now the residence of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.
The photographs under the King in his Childhood highlights His Majesty and his royal siblings in their leisure time, mostly taken in Sra Pathum Palace. In one photo, HM the King, then Prince Bhumibol Adulyadej, is seen digging up a mock canal (something that also peaked His Majesty's interest), which would later inspire him to draw up several initiatives in irrigation development and flood prevention schemes to benefit his people.
Photographs under the Royal Wedding of Their Majesties feature the wedding ceremony of HM the King and Queen Sirikit, which took place at Sra Pathum Palace, where they received the blessing of the Queen Grandmother.
Under the King and the Princess Mother theme are photos of His Majesty while visiting HRH the Princess Mother at Sra Pathum Palace on important occasions, like on his birthday. Here, there are quite a few photos showing the Princess Mother cooking for His Majesty. There's even a photo of a birthday cake, topped with icing, in the form of a joyful rabbit, to signify the king's astrological sign; the cake was presented to the monarch on December 5, 1991. And on another occasion, the Princess Mother made Boston Brown Bread for the king.
Apart from the special temporary toy and photo exhibitions, visitors will get a glimpse of the permanent exhibition on the life and work of the Queen Grandmother, as well.
Borom Kasat Wattana Sathan is open daily (except Sundays) until March 31, from 10am-5pm. Last visitor permitted at 4pm. Tickets cost 150 baht (50 baht for students). Advanced booking is required. Call 02-252-1965_9 or visit www.queensavang.org.
The bathtub His Majesty the King used when he was a young child.
An imported toy petrol station made of zinc and plastic. Photos courtesy of the QUEEN SAVANG VADHANA FOUNDATION
An exhibition that showcases HM the King’s playthings, including a typewriter and camera imported from Germany, as well as model planes brought in from the US, plus wooden and galvanised boats that reflect HM the King’s strong passion for sailing since he was a boy.
