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World Day for AV Heritage in Thailand, 27 Oct. 2007
The World Day for AV Heritage in Thailand focused on His Majesty, the Thai King's interest in film and celebrated the auspicious occasion of His Majesty the King's 80th Birthday Anniversary come December 5, 2007. His Majesty the King owns one of the biggest private film collections.
From the time His Majesty assumed his kingship in 1946 until today, the Bureau of the Royal Household has made about 6,000 films featuring His Majesty on various occasions and in numerous royal ceremonies such as His Majesty's coronation and wedding ceremonies, his ordination, his visits to Thai people around the country, and his overseas trips.
The co-organizers of the celebrations are the Museum and Archive of the Government Public Relations Department, the National Film Archive, the Office of the National Identity, King Rama IX Music Library, the Working Committee of the Royal Private Film and Still Pictures Archive Project, the News and Information Center of Channel 7, and Antique Phonograph and Gramophone of Thai Society.
Activities
Announce the list of 100 Thai AV Heritage List
The public has a chance to list 100 year old cyclinder in a song called Siamese Patrol to celebrate 100 year of King Rama the V second visit to German on 9 August, 1907. (King Rama the V is a grandfather of King Rama the IX, the present King)
The public will have a chance to hear Pathe record on a classic Royal Anthem played by Thai classical music in 1907 or 100 years in ordet to give a honour of His Majesty the King on 80th birthday.
The fourth King's composition in the song called Near Dawn which was recorded for the first time on Rabit Brand which is a Thai record company in 1942.
His Majesty the King delivered a speech recorded by Radio Thailand at Chilada Palace on the occasion of leaving the country to abroad (Vietnam) for the first time in his reign in 1960. Radio Thailand was on air the King's speech on 16 December 1960. One day before his journey.
The film about the the first royal visit to abroad will be shown.
A lot of films about king from Thai and international archives will be shown for instant the King's visit to the Philippines which is a compliment of Phillipnes Information Agency.
Thailand to Establish the Royal Private Film Archive
The Government is proceeding with its plan to establish the Royal Private Film Archive as the place to preserve His Majesty the King's moving and still pictures. The project is part of the celebrations of His Majesty's 80th birthday this year.
One of the photo stills from the royal film collection |
The Royal Private Film Archive is being constructed in the Sanam Sua Pa compound, Dusit Palace, in Bangkok. The construction project was earlier planned on an area of five rai, or two acres, in the same compound of the National Film Archive of Thailand in Salaya subdistrict, Buddhamonthon district, Nakhon Pathom province. Associate Professor Bundit Chulasai, Head of the Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University, was entrusted with designing the new archive. Both Thai and foreign experts are working for the preservation project.
The Royal Private Film Archive takes up five stories, equipped with various film systems at the international standard. Apart from keeping the historical moving and still pictures taken by His Majesty himself, it will also accommodate His Majesty's personal films produced by the Bureau of the Royal Household, and other old and rare films to be preserved by the Government under the permission of His Majesty theKing.
From the time His Majesty assumed his kingship in 1946 up to today, the Bureau of the Royal Household has made about 6,000 films featuring His Majesty on various occasions and in numerous royal ceremonies. The number of films is classified into 17 sets, such as His Majesty's coronation and wedding ceremonies, his ordination, his visits to Thai people in all corners of the country, and his overseas trips. If these films were shown continuously, it would take about four or five months to view them all. Almost all of them are original, without copies. So high technology is required to preserve and repair them properly.
According to the National Film Archive of Thailand, a total of 16 royal films were shown at cinemas both in Bangkok and the provinces between 1950 and 1967. His Majesty had watched all the films before they were screened in the cinema. He also granted proceeds from the film shows to charitable organizations.
First ever celebration of the World Day for AV Heritage in Thailand (October 27, 2006). Photo courtesy of UNESCO (http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/ev.php-URL_ID=23341&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html) |
The project on the construction of the Royal Private Film Archive is the first of its kind in Thai history and also in today's world. It is scheduled to be operational in December 2007, the month when Thai people will celebrate His Majesty the King's 80th birthday on a grand scale.
With proper preservation and care, the historical pictures will be maintained in good condition for future study, research, and dissemination, as part of the national heritage. Both Thais and foreigners will learn more about Thai history and culture, as well as royal activities, at this archive.
The Government appointed Minister to the Prime Minister's Office Khunying Dhipavadee Meksawan chairperson of the royal private film preservation committee. In February 2007, the Cabinet approved a budget of 198.5 million baht to carry out this project. It has assigned the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Prime Minister's Office to work closely with the Bureau of the Royal Household in handling the project.
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