Public Execution in the Siam of Old

Long before Siam became known as Thailand, prisoners were publicly beheaded by sword. This practice ended in 1919, when Boonpeng Heep Lek was the last person to be executed in this way. These rather graphic pictures show how the beheading took place. To read three true stories of public beheading in Siam, visit my other blog: Faraang.

Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall

Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall was commissioned by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) in 1906 and was completed in 1915. It was once the reception hall within Dusit Palace. In 1932, it was used as the headquarters of the People's Party. After that, it was used as the Parliament House until 1974. It is now a museum.

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.

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.

King Prajadhipok in New York

King Prajadhiok Siam 1934

King Prajadhipok and Queen Rambhai Barni with Konstantin von Neurath in Germany 1934

King Prajadhipok meets Adolph Zukor

King Prajadhipok meets Douglas Fairbank and Mary Picford 1920

King Prajadhipok meets Hitler 1936

King Prajadhipok meets Mansoor Armana

King Prajadhipok meets Vice President Charles Curtis and Secretary of State Henry L. Stimson

Democracy Monument

Democracy Monument was built in 1939, the same year that the country's name was changed from Siam to Thailand. It was built to commemorate the 1932 coup d'état which brought about the end of absolute monarchy. Read the fascinating story of the Italian sculptor who designed the monument and became a Thai citizen, on Faraang, a blog about life in Bangkok.