Siamese Visions: King Prajadhipok

Showing posts with label King Prajadhipok. Show all posts

Wednesday, 8 June 2011

King Prajadhipok: Moments in the Life of a Monarch

King Prajadhipok was the seventh king of the current Chakri dynasty. He became king after the original heir to the throne died unexpectedly in 1925. With only a year's experience of statecraft under his belt, he embarked, somewhat precariously, on his career as king of Siam. But King Prajadhipok was never entirely happy being an absolute monarch, upon whose shoulders the success of an entire nation stood. At heart, he was a creative spirit and would dedicate much of his time to reading, composing music, and making amateur movies. These photos show us King Prajadhipok the man: a dedicated husband and educator of children.

Wednesday, 18 May 2011

King Prajadhipok Portraits

Here's a collection of King Prajadhipok portraits. From Coronation outfits to Buddhist robes, European-style uniforms to the man-about-town look, he's worn them all. Enjoy these pictures of Thailand's seventh king.

Tuesday, 17 May 2011

King Prajadhipok and Friends

King Prajadhipok was the seventh king of the Chakri dynasty. He became king in 1926, after his brother, the heir apparent, suddenly passed away. His reign marked a major turning point in Siamese history and he is the only king to have held the title of absolute, and constitutional monarch. In 1932, the Khana Ratsadon (People's Party) staged a coup d'etat outside the Annanta Sammakhom Throne Hall in Bangkok, demanding a new democratic form of government "of the people, by the people and for the people." King Prajadhipok readily agreed to the constitution but later expressed his discontent with the way Siam was being governed. He left Siam in 1934, never to return. He abdicated in 1935 and spent the rest of his years living in Surrey, England.

Below is a collection of images showing King Prajadhipok and other famous faces.