November 2010 - National Museum Volunteers

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Why would the fiercely nationalistic government of Field Marshall Phibun Songkham commission a statue of the absolute monarch King Rama VI? King Rama VI is remembered not only for his eccentric personality and extravagance but also for his promotion of Thai nationalism, for strengthening the military, for introducing surnames and the tricolor national flag. During his reign primary school was made compulsory and Chulalongkorn University, the first in the kingdom, was founded using money left over from the Equestrian Statue. The King was an accomplished author and he used literature and drama to foster nationalism by glorifying Thai legends and historical figures in plays. Under a pseudonym he also wrote essays in praise of the virtues of the nation. In his most penetrating piece ‘Siamese Art’ he argued that the art of his country was like ‘a poor invalid’ because young Siam had become obsessed with a desire ‘to ape European manners and European ways in outward things to be accounted civilized’ In art and literature the King believed that there was a need to return to traditional styles. In 1912 he formed The Fine Arts Department with the aim to preserve and develop Thai art and craftsmanship. The Phibun government recognized King Rama VI as the author and pioneer of Thai Nationalism. In 1940 to pay tribute they decided to build a statue of the King. The location chosen was in front of Lumpini Park. Rama VI donated the 22,000 square metres of land at Sala Daeng in 1919 for this beautiful public park. In 1941 Corrado Feroci with assistance from four Thai artists commenced the project of designing and molding the three times life-size statue. The statue was inaugurated on 27 Mar 1942. The King is depicted in full ceremonial uniform with a sword, on a high pedestal flanked by fountains. An open tiled area where public ceremonies are held surrounds the monument. The Monument of King Taksin commissioned by the post war government of Field Marshal Phibun Songkhram (April 1948 – September 1957) Just three years after the end of the Second World War Thailand returned to military leadership. In April 1948 at the invitation of leading generals Phibun, who had recently been cleared of war crimes, again became Prime Minister. A uniform nationalism reemerged as a state sponsored ideology. During this final period of power Phibun attempted to change his public image; he reinvented himself as a more compassionate figure and developed historical claims for his authority 30 . Newsletter National Museum Volunteers . November 2010 .
Monument of King Taksin, (1953) by Corrado Feroci with Sanan Silakorn, Sitthidet Sanghiran and Pakorn Lekson, Wongwianyai Circle, Thonburi. King Taksin is dressed in traditional royal attire, riding on horseback with his head up slightly and his right hand holding a sword. Both the King and his horse display muscularity and heroism. They face towards Bangkok. The height of the statue from the foot of the horse to the top of the hat is nine metres; the length is nine metres from the tail to the mouth of the horse King Taksin the Great was one of the most famous warrior figures in Thai history. Phibun viewed King Taksin as a nation builder. He saw similarities in their lives. Both leaders were from humble origins and both were military men. King Taksin had freed Thais from Burmese invaders. In the 1940s Phibun promised Thais independence from aggressive colonial neigbours and later in the 1950s led the rhetoric against growing Communist insurgencies in neighboring Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos The design for the Monument of King Taksin was first submitted to the Phibun government in 1937. The proposal signaled a change in official sentiment concerning King Taksin who had been disparaged in early Bangkok history. In the same year Luang Wichitwathakan, the chief architect of Phibun’s nationalism, produced a play, ‘The King of Thonburi’ which emphasized the king’s leadership and chivalry. . November 2010 . Newsletter National Museum Volunteers . 31
Page 1 and 2: NEWS Bangkok No. 11 November 2010 N
Page 3 and 4: IN THIS ISSUE CONTENTS 2 Calendar &
Page 5 and 6: MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear Mem
Page 7 and 8: FROM THE LIBRARY Call for volunteer
Page 9 and 10: AT HOME At Home with Ajahn Bill Tha
Page 11 and 12: INTRODUCTORY LECTURE SERIES 65 th I
Page 13 and 14: RECENT HAPPENINGS EXCURSION TO PAK
Page 15 and 16: And he will be doing it in a very s
Page 17 and 18: Höhle geschafft und wir wurden mit
Page 19 and 20: Hongsa confronted at vase sipping e
Page 21 and 22: ence, England’s Ian Glover, a fac
Page 23 and 24: lady in the world, insured for 5.2
Page 25 and 26: The Dahlem used to be called the Mu
Page 27 and 28: This statue of King Mongkut is now
Page 29 and 30: longest reign of a Chakri monarch.
Page 31: The bronze statue of King Rama I wa
Page 35 and 36: EXCURSION NMV WEEKEND EXCURSION Chi
Page 37 and 38: EXCURSIONS POLICY Participating in
Page 39 and 40: NMV STEERING COMMITTEE Patron: MR C

November 2010 - National Museum Volunteers

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