His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's Royal Photography Museum I :

The museum of the photographs taken by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej consists of two buildings situated north of Vimanmek Mansion. They were originally constructed by the royal command of King Rama V for HRH Princess Arunwadi and HRH Princess Bussabun Buaphan.

At present both former royal residences house displays of photographs taken by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The King, a lifelong camera enthusiast, has graciously permitted the display of some works from his personal collection. Many of His Majesty the King’s photographs reflect hidden interesting philosophical thoughts.

The King’s photographs can be categorized into several groups. There are family photographs of Her Majesty the Queen and those of the royal children, the Prince and the Princesses. These are also photographs of royal ceremonies, photographs of the Ramakien scenes from the corridors of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and photographs of his subjects, villages, towns, and cities and natural wonders in the Kingdom. Also, he has taken photographs which have been useful for the development of the country such as photographs of interesting landscapes; photographs showing appropriate locations for dams, reservoirs and dykes; photographs of villages and their surroundings and of transportation routes. These photographs were taken on land, from the air in airplanes or helicopters. They have been used to help him plan various development projects in the Kingdom, particularly in rural areas. Upon completion of those projects, he sometimes took photographs of the officials involved with the projects.

All the photographs on display have shown that His Majesty the King is not interested in photography only for its artistic value because each photograph is full of both artistic and academic values which can be utilized to develop the country towards peace and happiness for the Thai people.

The photographs taken by His Majesty the King which he has graciously permitted for display at the former residence of HRH Princess Arunwadi consist of :

-Self-photographs while playing musical instruments

-Photographs of Her Majesty the Queen

-Photographs of the Prince and the Princesses

-Other Photographs