LATE KING’S LEGACY
Where to find examples of late monarch’s work in city.
The royal cremation ceremony concludes tomorrow, marking the end of a collective outpouring of grief and solemn royal and religious rituals to pay respect to the much-loved monarch. Many of us may have felt a void in our hearts as the late King was cremated on Thursday night.
Yet his works remain, the legacy of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 70-year reign. Bangkok has a number of places for those who wish to revisit the life of the late monarch and see his works and his wisdom on the sufficiency economy.
ROYAL CHITRALADA PROJECTS
Chitralada Palace or Chitralada Garden was known as a laboratory where the late King experimented on his organic farm, dairy farm and environmental conservation schemes. The results were applied to royal projects.
Research has also been carried out here on the processing of agricultural products.
This project focuses on the operation of the sufficiency economy, a concept championed by the late King. It is a source of knowledge of agriculture, livestock, forestry and fisheries.
Royal Chitralada Projects, Ratchawithi Road, Chitralada Garden area, Dusit district, Bangkok. Open Monday to Friday, 8.30am-4.30pm. Call 02-282-8200.
BANGKOK’S WATER MANAGEMENT CENTRE FOR KING BHUMIBOL ADULYADEJ’S INITIATIVES
The late monarch played a major role in advising the BMA on how to battle floods. He introduced the concept of kam ling, or
flood detention and draining areas, as an instrument in flood-water management.
In 1993, the BMA opened the centre and the late King presided over it. The displays have since become permanent exhibitions. They showcase flood protection projects and concepts initiated by the late monarch and adopted by the BMA.
The late King also presided over the opening of the permanent displays and the centre on Aug 7, 1993.
Exhibitions include a hologram and rare photos of the late King during his visits to the BMA’s water management centres, or his field visits to help control floods. It also has voice recordings and moving images of the late King, his speeches, flood management projects and general displays of information pertaining to flood management in Bangkok and nationwide.
The exhibition is located at the Bureau of Drainage Bangkok 2, Din Daeng district, Bangkok. Call 02-246-0317.
BANGKOK CITY LIBRARY
Bangkok city library has a vast collection of books and printing materials related to the capital. The third floor features a complete archive of books and printing materials related to King Rama IX.
A special section is dedicated to records of his advice and projects related to town planning, transportation, the environment, arts and culture, welfare and education.
Bangkok city library, Ratchadamnoen Klang Road in Phra Nakhon district, Bangkok. Go to www.bangkokcitylibrary.com or call 02 282 0680.
THE ROYAL BOAT MUSEUM
The late King was passionate about sailing and boat-building.
He competed in international competitions, notably the Southeast Asian Peninsula Games (SEAP Games) in December 1967, where he won a gold medal for yachting in the OK Dinghy class with his daughter, Princess Ubol Ratana.
The SEAP Games are now known as the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games).
The museum displays boats built after the late’s King initiatives but the highlight is “Super Mod”, a small sailing boat the late King built himself.
Department of the Navy Dockyard, Arun Amarin Road, Bangkok Noi district. Call 02-475-5368-9 or 082-223-1516.