As you're already well aware, the Royal Coronation of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun will take place from May 4-6. And in anticipation of this joyous and auspicious event, many organisations are holding exhibitions to celebrate and honour His Majesty The King. Here's a selected few.
Mahidol University, Salaya Campus, Nakhon Pathom
Mahidol's exhibition features the King's history, his royal duties that are related to the university and interesting facts regarding the time-honoured Royal Coronation. On the first floor of the dean's office, the exhibition runs until the end of July and is open to the public. Alternatively, visit bit.ly/2J1rO5a. All info is in Thai.
Wat Pho, Sanam Chai Road
Wat Pho is hosting a bilingual exhibition on the Royal Coronation. It involves the history of royal coronations of past kings until the present king of the Chakri Dynasty, the details of the elaborate traditions, royal regalia and what they represent, and rare pictures from past coronations.
The Emporium & The EmQuartier
The two shopping malls joins forces with Government Savings Bank to hold a contemporary exhibition titled “Under His Peaceful Reign, Praise The King”, featuring 10 works by five Thai artists. Each expresses their gratitude and loyalty in their own style. Sakwut Wisesmanee's The Tenth Reign is a stunning portrait series of the King. Jitsing Somboon pays homage by creating a stencil of the King's face as he regards the King as a role model. Lik Sriprasert's two artworks are entitled Long Live The King and use the ancient rai rod nam lacquer technique on a mirror set slightly above the viewers' heads. Chalit Nakpawan uses a new technique in his installations. Amrit Chusuwan uses beautiful drawings of the King in two mixed media pieces. Visitors get a complimentary poster-size image of an art piece. The exhibition runs until May 12. The giant LED screen at Quartier Parc will screen the live broadcast of the Royal Ceremonies from May 4-6. A candle vigil will be held on May 6 at Quartier Parc at 7pm.
The Mall Bangkapi
Another exhibition with the same name as Emporium's “Under His Peaceful Reign, Praise The King” will be held at The Mall Bangkapi's Fashion Hall until May 8. There are documentaries on the Royal Coronation, the King's biography and his royal duties, and paintings of the King by various artists. A highlight is a stamp collection, which includes those issued to celebrate the King's special occasions from being made Crown Prince to his fifth birthday cycle. The special stamp collection to commemorate the Royal Coronation will be available for sale on May 4. Join a candle vigil at 7pm at all branches of The Mall except Ramkhamhaeng.
Central Group
Central Group hosts many activities to celebrate the Royal Coronation from May 3-7. On May 3, a blood donation drive will be held on the first floor of The Offices at CentralWorld, the seventh floor of Central Chaengwattana and the first floor of Central Chidlom. From May 4-6, CentralWorld will organise two exhibitions at Eden Zone on the second floor and Central Court on the sixth floor, as well as screen live broadcasts of the ceremonies. The Joe Louis Puppet Theatre will perform on May 4 and May 6 at CentralWorld Square.
Seacon Square, Srinakarin Road
Until May 26, Seacon Square will host an art exhibition on its north terrace on the second and the third floors to honour King Rama X. There will be about 150 drawings of his likeness by 100 renowned artists and National Artists such as Chuang Moolpinit (2013 National Artist for Visual Arts), Choosak Visanukamron, Sanam Rattana and Suwatchai Tubtim. Complementing the exhibition is a puppet show by the Nataya Bangkok troupe.
Be part of the Historic Event
- Although the ceremonies last three days, the government has announced only May 6 as an extra holiday. The government has also invited the public to greet the King's procession, which will be travelling to Wat Baworn, Wat Ratchabophit and Wat Pho on May 5. On May 6, King Rama X will grant a public audience from the balcony of Suddhaisavarya Prasad Hall in the Grand Palace. Those who wish to partake should wear yellow.
- You can also catch the beautiful traditions and ceremonies at home as they will be broadcast live by the Television Pool of Thailand until May 6. On May 3, the broadcast will be from 9.40am-6pm; May 4 from 9am-5.30pm; May 5 from 8.40am-10pm and on May 6 from 4.10-5.50pm with the King's address at Suddhaisavarya Prasad Hall. On May 6 from 7-7.30pm watch a synchronised light show at Sanam Luang, featuring 300 drones.
- In total, 40 roads in Bangkok will be closed during the ceremonies until May 5. We're not going to list them here because you can check out http://bit.ly/2V2wyi9. Nostramap has introduced special tabs, which you can click to see the roads that are off-limits on each day.
- A LINE account has been set up by the public relations commission of the Royal Coronation ceremonies to answer questions 24/7. Type @phralan to add the account.
- Free round-trip transport is provided until May 7. The shuttle bus service runs from 9am-10pm from May 3-4, from 6am-midnight on May 5, 9am-midnight on May 6 and from 9am-10pm on May 7.
- For those who wish to reach the ceremony by boat, you have three choices from May 4-6. The Chao Phraya Express Boat provides free transport from Nonthaburi Pier to Pinklao Pier (Phra Nakhon's side) twice each morning, 10am and 11am, and twice in the evening, 3pm and 4pm, as well as from Sathon Pier to Saphan Phut (Memorial Bridge) Pier twice in the morning -- 10am and 11am and twice in the evening -- 3pm and 4pm.
- Thonburians can catch free ferry rides from 6am-10pm. The boat leaves Phra Ram VIII Pier on Thon Buri side to Phra Ram VIII Pier on Phra Nakhon side every 15 minutes. From Phra Ram VIII Pier on Thon Buri side to Pin Klao Pier on Phra Nakhon side every 20 minutes. From Pin Klao Pier on Thong Buri side to Pin Klao Pier on Phra Nakhon side every 15 minutes. And from Rod Fai Pier to Phra Chan Tai Pier every 15 minutes.
- Catch free boat rides on the Klong Saen Saeb. On May 4, the first boat will leave Pratunam Pier for Phan Fah Leelard Pier at 7am while the last one will leave at 7pm. The last boat from Phan Fah Leelard to Pratunam will leave at 7.15pm. On May 5, the first boat will leave Pratunam for Bo Bae Pier from 7am to 11.45am. After that, the boat will go up to Phan Fah Leelard until 10pm, while the last boat will leave Phan Fah Leelard at 10pm. On May 6, the first boat will leave Pratunam at 7am and the last one will leave at 7.45pm. The last boat will leave Phan Fah Leelard for Pratunam at 8pm.
- There are 27 parking spots in Bangkok where you can leave your vehicles and get a shuttle bus to the ceremony from May 4-6 (unless stated otherwise). These places allow parking during different hours as shown in brackets behind their names while venues with no bracket allow 24/7 parking.
Northern Bangkok - Future Park Rangsit (7am-10pm), The Government Complex in Chaeng Wattana, The Police Club on Vibhavadi (6am-10pm), Kasetsart University (6am-10pm) and Muang Thong Thani (8am-10pm).
Southern Bangkok - Buddhamonthon Sai 4 (5am-6pm), Central Salaya (5am-10pm), Central Park Rama II (5am-10pm), Bang Mod Witthaya School (8am-6pm), Thongsuk Witthayalai, and Baromratchachonanee Garage.
Eastern Bangkok - King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, MegaBangna (9.30am-10pm), Bitec Bangna
(6am-midnight) and Ikea Bangna (May 5-6, 9.30am-10pm).
Western Bangkok - Central Westgate (6am-10pm).
Inner Bangkok - Office of The Attorney General (6am-10pm), Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek (6am-10pm), MRT parking building on Ratchada (5am-1am), MRT Ladprao parking building (5am-1am), Royal Thai Army Club (from 8.30am onwards), Airport Link Makkasan, Bangkok Metropolitan Admin. City Hall 2, Godang Stadium in Khlong Toey (7am-midnight), Supachalasai Stadium, Thailand Tobacco Monopoly (8am-4pm) and Siam Commercial Bank headquarter.
For reliable sources of in-depth information regarding the Royal Coronation, visit Bangkok's dedicated website http://bit.ly/2DDlptD, as well as http://phralan.in.th.
