“The Royal Collection holds almost 35,427 glass plate negatives and 50,000 prints, covering a long and continuous period from 1855-1935,” said Culture Minister Vira Rojpojchanarat. The collection was previously preserved in three separate royal libraries of the original owners, King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) and Prince Damrongrajanubhab, King Monkut’s (King Rama IV) son. The massive collection portrays old Siam through to the modern Kingdom of Thailand during the reigns of King Mongkut (Rama IV) to King Prajadhipok (Rama VII). A century ago, King Rama VI committed Thai troops to battle halfway around the world bringing Siam to the Allied side in the to First World War and sharing the victory. The royal collection is the fifth heritage archive from Thailand recognised by Unesco.

Source: The Nation Bangkok December 09, 2017 20:00 UTC