Lives of the Chakri kings

Adding to the sombre appeal of a visit to Bangkok’s Grand Palace at the moment is a remarkable exhibition on the 234-year-old Chakri Dynasty and its tremendous significance in Thai history.
Tourists and mourners for His Majesty the late King Bhumibol are viewing the displays in the temporary, free-admission “Chalerm Phrakiat” exhibition to learn more about the monarchs of Thailand.
For nearly 150 years the Grand Palace was not only the royal residence but also the administrative seat of government. It housed all of the ministries and other departments of state, as well as the royal mint. 
While the rulers of the Chakri line haven’t lived full-time at the Grand Palace since the end of the 19th century, during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), the dazzling edifice with its adjoining Temple of the Emerald Buddha remains the Kingdom’s spiritual heart.
The exhibition in the palace museum takes the form of 10 “cabin” enclosures. Traditional folding books called samud khoi chronicle 
 events from the reigns of Rama I through Rama VI and the royal journals of subsequent courts carry the story on from there. 
From the reign just ended, the exhibition covers in detail the biography of the late, beloved Bhumibol (Rama IX), including the ideas, inventions and projects that earned him the affectionate title “the Developer King”. 
Also on view are some wonderful gifts that foreign dignitaries presented to Their Majesties King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit. Among these are a miniature model of India’s famed Taj Mahal and a masterful bronze sculpture from Saudi Arabia.
There are also the royal calendars designed by the late King Bhumibol as a New Year gift to all Thais.
The exhibition, with displays in both Thai and English, is open daily from 9am to 3pm. There is no admission charge.