Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The community blocked progress and even proposed the development of another tourist
attraction: a
lí·gair
(bawdy dance-drama) museum honouring the dance tradition that
traces its creation to a school located here in 1897. Some of the homes were eventually
demolished, resulting in the park you see today. But behind the fort many others remain
(for now). Visitors are welcome. Climb the ramparts (not for children) running away from
the fort and walk to the far end, where stairs lead down and into the village.
QUEEN'S GALLERY
ART GALLERY
(
www.queengallery.org
;
101 Th Ratchadamnoen Klang; admission 30B; 10am-7pm Thu-Tue; klorng boat to
Tha Phan Fah)
This royal-funded museum presents five floors of rotating exhibitions of mod-
ern and traditionally influenced art. The building is sleek and contemporary and the artists
hail from the upper echelons of the conservative Thai art world. The attached shop is
filled with fine-arts books and gifts.
KING PRAJADHIPOK MUSEUM
(2 Th Lan Luang; admission 40B; 9am-4pm Tue-Sun; klorng boat to Tha Phan Fah)
This museum uses
modern techniques to relate the rather dramatic life of Rama VII, while neatly document-
ing Thailand's transition from absolute to constitutional monarchy. The museum occupies
a grand neocolonial-style building constructed on the orders of Rama V for his favourite
firm of Bond St merchants; it was the only foreign business allowed on the royal road
linking Bangkok's two palace districts.
The exhibitions reveal that Prajadhipok did not expect to become king, but once on the
throne showed considerable diplomacy in dealing with what was, in effect, a revolution
fomented by a new intellectual class of Thais. The 1st floor deals with the life of Queen
Rambhai Barni, while the upper two floors cover the king's own life. It reveals, for ex-
ample, that the army-officer-turned-king spent many of his formative years in Europe
where he became fond of British democracy. Ironically, those plotting his downfall had
themselves learned of democracy during years of European education. A coup, carried out
while the king and queen were playing golf, ended Thailand's absolute monarchy in 1932.
Prajadhipok's reign eventually ended when he abdicated while in England in 1935; he
died there in 1941.
MUSEUM
