The museum for the study of money
The BoT Museum aims to educate visitors about Thai currency, the country's economic system and the history and duties of the central bank
- Published: 24/01/2010 at 12:00 AM
- Newspaper section: Brunch
There is no better place than a bank to obtain information about money, and now the Bank of Thailand (BoT) has opened a museum to tell the history of Thai banking and display a complete collection of Thai money through the ages. And although it's all about money, the museum opens its doors to the public for free.
The aim of the BoT Museum is not only to educate visitors about the legacy of the Thai currency, but also about the country's economic system and the duties of the central bank, said Ms Daranee, a senior guide at the museum.
The museum was opened on Jan 9, 1993, with His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen presiding over the ceremony.
The BoT Museum is housed in the Bang Khun Phrom Palace, once the residence of Prince Paribatra Sukhumbandhu, the 33rd son of King Rama V. He lived there with his family for 30 years while working as a high-level civil service administrator during the reigns of King Rama VI and King Rama VII.
The century-old building is remarkable for its architecture, as it is one of the most perfect Renaissance-style structures in Thailand.
Under construction from 1903 to 1906, in 1913 the prince added another mansion for his mother - Queen Sukhumala Marasri - with a walkway linking the two buildings.
The gated walls of the compound and the interior and exterior walls of the building are lavishly decorated with artistic stucco designs. A red carpet leads from the entrance of the museum to exhibition rooms on the first and second floors. Facing the stairway is a large carving that shows two mermaid-like creatures, one playing a bull horn lute and the other a flute, and underneath them is a fountain.
The place is very well maintained, and once you step inside, you may feel like the clock has been turned back.
"We have five exhibition rooms and each has its own story," said Ms Daranee. She led me to the first exhibition room, where Siamese and Thai coins through the ages are displayed.
Here are examples of the first type of coin used in Thailand, called pot duang, and the tools used to create it, plus a multimedia presentation showing how it was done. There are samples of other coins that have never been issued, such as one coin imprinted with an elephant and produced during the reign of King Rama III. There are also displays on the history of trade in Thailand since the Suvarnabhumi period, when people used beads, ornaments or weapons for bartering.
The next room illustrates the history of banknotes in Thailand. Displays show examples of each currency printed, using real banknotes. There are also examples of specially designed notes which were issued to celebrate important royal events and dates.
"Thais first started using paper for trade during the reign of King Rama IV. We call it mai (warrant). When people did good things, the King awarded them royal gift certificates, but they were not popular as people were not familiar with using them," she said.
In 1902, during the reign of King Rama V, the first Thai banknotes were issued, in baht denominations. "But the bank notes were printed only on one side," Ms Daranee pointed out.
Called "uniface banknotes", they were printed by a security printer and papermaker - Thomas de la Rue - in the United Kingdom. The banknotes are kept in a revolving cabinet, and visitors can see the blank side when the circular display platforms turns.
"Thai banknotes had their first two-sided design in 1925. The value of the banknotes started at one baht and went up to 1,000 baht," said Ms Daranee. "At present we are using the 15th edition of Thai banknotes.
"The BoT began printing Thailand's banknotes when we first got a printing press for the purpose in 1969."
This exhibition room also shows the process of printing banknotes, and has an interactive game in which players are asked questions about Thai banknotes. There are also samples of banknotes from around the world.
The third room gives the history of the BoT and its duties, and serves as an education zone about the economy. It also contains collections of personal items of every governor of the BoT from the first to the present.
The next room is one Prince Paribatra used to receive guests, and was called called Hong Si Chomphu (the pink room). The room is still used by the BoT for some important occasions.
The last exhibition room highlights the prince and his family. There is a life-size sculpture of the prince, and many biographical displays. The prince was a leader of the armed forces, and he was a great music lover, and even composed some now-traditional Thai songs.
Prince Paribatra left the country with his family and went to Indonesia after the change of political system in 1932. In one corner of the room is a display showing things he used in his daily life in Indonesia, as well as a model of his mansion there.
"When the prince resided here in Thailand," said Ms Daranee, "the palace was a centre of education for royals to learn about many things, such as language, cooking and dancing. The palace was informally called Bang Khun Phrom University."
With its conversion into the BoT Musuem the palace is carrying on that tradition, as it is now a place for people to learn the history of money in Thailand in a beautiful environment.
HOW TO GET THERE
The Bank of Thailand Museum is open from Monday to Friday, from 9amto 4pm. A letter of permission is required before visiting. Call 02-283-5286, 02-283-5265 or visit www.bot.or.th for more details. Public buses passing the museum are Nos 3, 32, 49 and 506. If taking an express boat service, get off at Rama VIII Bridge and walk about five minutes to the entrance gate.
Relate Search: BoT Museum, Prince Paribatra Sukhumbandhu, King Rama V, King Rama VI, King Rama VII, Queen Sukhumala Marasri
source : bangkokpost.com
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