Can you believe that Thais have officially been friends with the Americans for two whole centuries? Yep, 200 years. Our friendship has never been shaken, regardless of who rules each country, and has even become stronger over the years.
To celebrate the occasion, the Embassy of the United States of America in Bangkok is hosting an exhibition of historic gifts exchanged between the two nations throughout the years. Called Great and Good Friends: Historic Gifts between the Kingdom of Thailand and the United States of America, the exhibit features 79 objects and letters that have never been previously shown anywhere in Thailand.
The official relations between Thailand and the States began in the reign of King Rama II, when an American sea captain returned home from Bangkok with an official letter from Dit Bunnag, then Thailand’s Foreign Minister, to U.S. President James Monroe. The letter addressed His Majesty King Rama II’s wish to establish a trading relationship between the two nations. The date stated in the letter was 15 August 1818, regarded as the beginning of the bilateral relationship.
The priceless objects on display were borrowed from the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration and its presidential libraries, the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian Institution, King Prajadhipok’s Institute, Bangkok National Museum Bangkok, Thai Department of Fine Arts, and the Thai Film Archive.
Take a look at some of the highlights from the exhibition.
Portrait of George Washington
From: President Franklin Pierce
To: Second King Pinklao, 1856
Contributor: Fine Arts Department of Thailand, National Museum Bangkok
Embassy of the United States of America in Bangkok
Cigarette Case with Royal Cypher of King Ananda Mahidol
From: Luang Praditmanutham (Pridi Banomyong), Regent to King Rama VIII
To: President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 1945
Contributor: Franklin Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum
Embassy of the United States of America in Bangkok
Ceremonial Gold Robe
From: Prince Wan Waithayakon
To: The Smithsonian Institution, 1947
Contributor: Smithsonian Institution, Department of Anthropology
Embassy of the United States of America in Bangkok
Basketry Set
From: The SUPPORT Foundation of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit in Pho Thong District, Ang Thong Province
To: Smithsonian Institution, 1981
Contributor: Smithsonian Institution, Department of Anthropology
Embassy of the United States of America in Bangkok
Gold Niello Desk Set
From: King Bhumibol Adulyadej
To: President Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1960
Contributor: Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum
Embassy of the United States of America in Bangkok
Until 30 June, 9:00-16:30. Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles, Grand Palace, Na Phra Lan Road. Ticket B150 (Student B50, children under 12 free) Read more information at Event page.