The culture of money

THE GOVERNMENT SAVINGS Bank (GSB), Thailand’s best-known state-owned bank, turns 103 this year and it’s celebrating the occasion by staging a musical that looks at the way of life in the early part of the 20th century and pays tribute to its founder, His Majesty King Vajiravudh, King Rama VI.

 “On April 1, 1913, King Vajiravudh issued an act to formally set up a Savings Office under the Royal Treasury and provided Bt100,000 as the seed capital. His aim was to teach the people about saving so that they would have money in times of need, while also earning reasonable interest. The king’s benevolence in initiating this banking system is something Thai people should appreciate and be proud of,” says Chatchai Payuhanaveechai, president of the GSB, who recently presided over a merit-making ceremony to ask for blessings for the musical at King Rama VI Monument, Phayathai Palace.

In 1907, Prince Vajiravudh, as he was then, introduced the concept of saving by setting up the Leefotia Bank in Chitralada Palace’s Parusakawan Garden area. Using as its model the Edinburgh Savings Bank, Britain’s first modern savings office, its purpose was to educate court officials on banking services and to promote a saving habit. Six years later, and now King Vajiravudh, he issued the Savings Office Act, which became effective on April 1, 1913.

 The Government Savings Bank Act BE 1946 was issued on December 18 to transfer the Savings Office to the Ministry of Finance. The act came into effect on April 1, 1947, the first year of King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s reign, and the savings office was renamed the Government Savings Bank.

The musical, which is being staged at Muangthai Rachadalai Theatre from May 18 to 22, aims to spread the message about the king’s contributions while encouraging nationalism, an ideal introduced to Thailand by King Rama VI.

 “Because this musical pays tribute to King Rama VI, we decided to use his royal name Somdej Phra Maha Theeraraj Chao, which means the “Genius King”, for the title. We were also inspired by his vision in using art and culture to develop the Siamese Kingdom,” Chatchai continues.

 “Theera Racha the Musical” takes the audience back to the era of King Rama VI and through various characters, underlines the policies introduced during that time, which set the foundation for modern Siam in terms of politics, economy, society and foreign affairs.

 “We have spent a year preparing this musical. As all Thais know, King Rama VI was praised for his futuristic vision in setting policies and it is this message we wanted to get across,” says Thisana Duandao, managing director of Mind Matters, which is producing the show. 

“We have benefited from an excellent script written by Dr Parida Manomaiphibul from the Faculty of Arts of Chulalongkorn University, and we have been fortunate in finding a professional and creative production team and experts in several categories. They include Rear Admiral Veeraphan Vawklang, the 2008 National Artist, who is serving as music director and conductor, and Jarunee Hongjaru who is the director and composer. Komol Panichapan, president of Long District Culture Council in Phrae and founder of the Komol Antique Textile Museum, has designed all the costumes, and Montree Watlaiat, who has worked on the royal khon production, is handling the make-up.

“The musical features 25 songs including ‘Kwam Rak’ (‘Love’), a piece from the royal repertoire from ‘Venice Vanich’ translated by King Rama VI from William Shakespeare’s ‘The Merchant of Venice’,” Thisana continues.

Bhanbhassa Dhubthien, who has years of experience with both national and international stage plays, is in charge of the acting. “King Rama VI was praised as the father of the Thai stage play, so working with the actors is a great honour for me. The theme of the musical is nationalism, loyalty and ideals, which I think connects with the society of today,” she says. 

Choreographer Parinya Tongphonthong has also risen to the challenge, creating choreography that reflects the customs of that era and ensures the dance movements accurately reflect the lifestyle.

 “Theera Racha the Musical” uses some of King Rama VI’s works, among them the “Love” poem from “Venice Vanich”, and an ancient warrior poem, which has been set to a melody composed by music director Jarunee.

The cast includes leading performers and artists, among them Nuengthida “Noona” Sophon, Kornkan “Arm” Suthikoset, Patarapon “Ron” To-un, Wasu “Jib” Sangsingkaew, Thanaporn “Parn” Waekprayoon, and Chaiyawat “Add” Anutrakulchai.

“I’m playing Prayong, a daughter of Khunying Yuen, who is portrayed by Parn. Prayong is a new generation woman and a feminist who believes women should have equal rights to men. She believes that women should live by themselves without men’s help,” says actress Nuengthida, who has starred in several musicals including “Luad Kattiya”.

 “I play Luang Chaipithet, an official of Savings Office, who is determined to develop both the country and the organisation, and encourage people to save,” says Kornkan, who rose to fame through the KPN singing contest. “Chai also works as a columnist for a newspaper, under the penname Niranam, and regularly comments on politics.” 

“Therd falls secretly in love with Prayong but doesn’t like Chai and disagrees with what he writes,” says Patarapon, who plays of Captain Luang Therd Bodinthorn, a young officer of the court who is very loyal to the king and the nation.

Wasu “Jib” Sangsingkaew, a veteran vocalist and well-known Elvis impersonator, portrays Chao Phraya Sena Bhakdi of the Savings Office, who is entrusted by the king to be responsible for the country’s first big expo, the Siamrath Museum. “At the same time, I have to investigate corruption in the country,” he says.

 

MEMORY BANK

 

- “Theera Racha the Musical” runs from May 18 to 22 at the Muangthai Rachadalai Theatre. Shows are at 7 nightly. It’s in Thai only – no English.

- Admission is free. Fore more details, check www.GSB.or.th or www.facebook.com/GSBSociety.