A King's Lens: Prajadhipok's Film Legacy
Uncovering King Prajadhipok's passion for filmmaking and its role in Siamese cultural development.
Young Princes with cameras (1905-01-19) by unknownKing Prajadhipok Museum
Photography and Filming as a Siamese Aristocratic Hobby
Shortly after being imported to Siam in 1890s, photography and kinetography quickly became fashionable among courtiers and aristocrats of Bangkok. In this picture, King Chulalongkorn's young princes were given and taught to use a camera from a very early age.
First Advertisement of Film Screening in Siam (1897-06-09) by Bangkok TimesKing Prajadhipok Museum
Motion Pictures in Siam
The first film screening in Siam was advertised in the Bangkok Times on June 10, 1897, at the Lakon Mom Chow Alangkan Theatre. This event marked the beginning of Siam's cinematic journey, exposing the population to films from various countries.
The Thief of Bagdad Film Billboard, Bangkok (1924/1926) by unknown and Douglas FairbanksKing Prajadhipok Museum
Siamese Film Culture, 1900-1920s
In the beginning of Prajadhipok's reign in 1925, the people of Bangkok were already familiar with films. Private and government theaters had already been established. In this picture we see boy scouts looking at a billboard advertising a Hollywood film, "The Thief of Bagdad" (1924).
The King and his Camera
King Prajadhipok, a keen photographer and filmmaker, documented Siam's land and people through his films. His surviving work serves as a valuable historical record of the country's culture and landscapes during his reign.
The King's Personal Film Camera
The King Prajadhipok Museum houses several objects related to King Prajadhipok's personal interest in film.
The Filmo 70A film camera (B&H, 16 mm) with a Taylor Hobson lens was introduced in 1923 by the Bell & Howell Company of the United States.
Queen Rambhai Barni's Personal Film Camera
The Rolleiflex film camera was produced by Rollei Werke in Germany from the 1920s onwards.
The Leather Camera Bag, with King Prajadhipok's Royal Cypher (20th Century) by UnknownKing Prajadhipok Museum
Film Camera Bag, with Royal Cypher "ป.ป.ร."
The camera bag is made of wood and overlaid with black flannel and leather, it is rectangular and curved on top.
Film Camera Bag, with Royal Cypher "ป.ป.ร."
This worn wooden camera bag, with its black flannel and leather overlay, reveals King Prajadhipok's dedication to his cinematic passion. The bag features a unique detail – a handle placement, indicating frequent use during his filmmaking endeavors.
Film Camera Bag, with Royal Cypher "ป.ป.ร."
The front of the bag has been decorated with the green-enameled royal cypher.
(Left image) The inside of the bag is divided into compartments for storing camera equipment. (Right image) The back of the bag Shows metal rivets on all 4 corners of the bag.
Camera bag in brown (20th Century) by UnknownKing Prajadhipok Museum
Film Camera Bag, with Royal Cypher "ป.ป.ร."
The camera bag is made of light brown wood in a rectangular shape. All angles are protected with a shockproof material. The bag has a dark brown handle on top, with key locks on both sides.
Film Camera Bag, with Royal Cypher "ป.ป.ร."
The front is decorated with the green-enameled royal cypher.
Royal cypher on brown camera bag (20th Century) by UnknownKing Prajadhipok Museum
The Royal Cypher "ป.ป.ร."
is placed under the Great Crown of Victory.
The Wellington Photographic Handbook
From King Prajadhipok's private collection: "The Wellington Photographic Handbook", 11th edition, published in 1910.
The inner cover contains the royal cypher "ป.ป.ร."which indicates the king's ownership. He may have acquired this book during his school years in Britain (1906-1915).
The Dictionary of Photography, 10th edition (1920) by E. J. Wall, F. J. Mortimer, and Iliffe & Sons, LtdKing Prajadhipok Museum
The Dictionary of Photography
From King Prajadhipok's private collection: E. J. Wall's "The Dictionary of Photography", 10th edition (1920).
The royal cypher "ป.ป.ร." indicates the king's ownership. This copy may have been acquired during his military training in France (as a prince, between 1921-1924).
Handbook of Motion Picture Photography (1927) by Herbert C. McKayKing Prajadhipok Museum
Handbook of Motion Picture Photography
Herbert McKay's 'Handbook of Motion Picture Photography' was part of King Prajadhipok's personal collection. This 1927 edition, marked with his royal cypher, might have been acquired during his 1931 US visit.
King Prajadhipok's Documentary Footage
King Prajadhipok, a passionate photographer, captured moments during his royal visits. This image, taken in Chiang Mai in 1927, showcases his dedication to documenting his travels and showcasing the beauty of Siam.
King Prajadhipok taking a photograph (20th Century) by UnknownKing Prajadhipok Museum
King Prajadhipok's Personal Footage
Apart from the films shot during official visits, King Prajadhipok also recorded many aspects of his everyday life in films. Several examples are conserved in the National Film Archive of Thailand's collection.
The Magic Ring (1929) by Royal Studio
A fiction film "The Magic Ring" was directed by the king himself during a royal visit to Pattani in 1929. The film's story features parables for children, which the king himself wrote, directed, and shot, with help from the young princes and courtiers as actors.
The Royal State Railways Topical Film Service
Prince Purachatra Jayakara of Kampaengpet was an able amateur filmmaker. As Commander of the Royal State Railways of Siam, he established the Topical Film Service Section, which produced many documentaries with the purpose to promote tourism and the use of railways in 1920-30s.
See Siam (1930)
The documentary film by the Royal State Railways of Siam, "See Siam" gave an introduction to the land and people of Siam for foreign tourists visiting the country by train. The parts of the film that have survived are conserved by the National Film Archive of Thailand.
Triyampawai-Tripawai: Pulling of the Giant Swing (1931)
This film captures a rare glimpse of the Triyampawai-Tripawai ceremony, a now-lost tradition that was discontinued in 1935. The film showcases the intricate details of this annual event, offering a valuable historical record.
The Construction of the Memorial Bridge (1930)
The Memorial Bridge, a symbol of Bangkok's progress, was built to commemorate the city's 150th anniversary. This film from 1930 offers a glimpse of the bridge's construction and the surrounding landscape.
Sala Chaloem Krung, the Royal Theatre (1932) by unknownKing Prajadhipok Museum
Sala Chaloem Krung, the Royal Theatre
The Sala Chaloem Krung, a stunning Art Deco theater, was a gift from King Prajadhipok to his capital city on its 150th anniversary. Opened in 1932, it was a symbol of Siam's modernization and cultural development. The theater still operates today.
The First Thai Sound Film Studio
The "Srikrung Sound on Film Company" was established in 1931 and was the first Thai sound film producer. In 1932, the studio produced the finest motion record of the 150th celebration of Bangkok and the Chakri Dynasty. The narration was trilingual: Thai, English, and Chinese.
Gramophone Record of Film Soundtrack: Mueang Mae Mai (1935) by Srikrung Sound Film StudioKing Prajadhipok Museum
Gramophone Record
Srikrung Studio wasn't just a film producer, but also a purveyor of popular music. They sold gramophone records with songs and soundtracks from their films, bridging the gap between visual and auditory entertainment in early 20th century Siam.
Gramophone Record
"Land of Widows" (1935) by Srikrung Studio was one of their early sound films. The film includes famous songs such as "Buang Suang" (Worship) and "Mae Mai Rampeung" (Widow's Lamentation). A record of Mae Mai Rampeung can be found at the museum.
Gramophone Record of Film Soundtrack: Mueang Mae Mai (1935) by Srikrung Sound Film StudioKing Prajadhipok Museum
Gramophone Record
Srikrung Studio's gramophone record comes with a paper cover.
The gramophone record's cover, stamped with the Chinese seller's name and address, hints at the presence of Chinese merchants in Siam during King Prajadhipok's reign. This is a fascinating example of how Chinese merchants played a role in Siamese business.
Ernest Schoedsack on an Elephant Carrying a Film Camera for the Film Chang (1927) by Milestone Film & VideoKing Prajadhipok Museum
Foreign Films shot in King Prajadhipok's Siam
Siam was such an exotic location for films. Foreign filmmakers were fascinated with the country's distinctive culture and wild jungle. A fine example of such a film shot in Siam during this period was the Associated British Film Distributors Ltd.'s film: "I am from Siam" (1930).
Film Crews and Actors of the Film: Chang (1927) by Milestone Film & VideoKing Prajadhipok Museum
Chang: A Drama of the Wilderness (1927)
Chang (meaning "Elephant"), a silent film shot in Siam between 1925-1926, captures the beauty of the wilderness. Sound was later added by Fong-Naam Band, preserving the tradition of silent film music.
Film and Politics in King Prajadhipok's Siam
The Siamese monarchy in the 1920s was challenged by political ideas from abroad. Films were used to spread new ideologies in Siam. The king's government responded with the Film Act, B.E.2473 (1930), controlling distribution, import, export, filming, and screening of any films in the kingdom.
Movie Talk on King Prajadhipok's Visit to Chiang Mai at the National Film Archive (2020-02-15) by King Prajadhipok MuseumKing Prajadhipok Museum
King Prajadhipok’s Siam Captured in Films
What was Siam in the 1920-30s like?
See more through the black and white lens (with or without sound) at the National Film Archive and at the King Prajadhipok Studies Centre.
