The diplomatic relations between Siam and France date back to the time of King Narai (1633-1688) and King Louis XIV. This was at the time of the Ayutthaya Kingdom.
To celebrate the Siamese envoys' visit to Versailles, one street in Bangrak (the European historic settlement of Bangkok) had already been renamed 'rue de Brest'. This is because the ship that came from Siam landed at the port of Brest in Brittany.
After the Burmese army attacked and destroyed Ayutthaya, there was a brief new period under King Taksin at Thonburi (the right side of the Chao Phraya River). At Taksin's death, a new dynasty, the Chakris - was founded. King Rama I moved his capital to Rattanakosin, across the river.
Later on, in the 19th century, King Mongkut (Rama IV, 1804-1868) initiated the modernization of his Kingdom and was keen to open his country to the rest of the world. King Mongkut hired an English lady, Anna Leonowens, who was immortalized in 'The King & I', a subject of great controversy among the Thais.
King Mongkut sent a second embassy to Napoleon III, who lavishly greeted the Siamese at Fontainebleau. The Siamese brought many valuable gifts. They were displayed in the Chinese museum in the château of Fontainebleau. But in 2015, they were mysteriously stolen out of the museum...
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| Peinture de Gerome: Ambassade siamoise à Fontainebleau |
The small exhibit called 'Mongkut' recaps the main episodes of the Thai/French relations. A video explains the Siamese craftsmanship of jewelry by a local artist, who recreated a copy of the crown offered to Napoleon III.
Silpakorn University.
The exhibit is displayed in the art gallery of Silpakorn University. It is located right across the Grand Palace. It was founded in 1943 by an Italian art professor, Corrado Feroci, who later became a Thai citizen.
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| Architecture du bâtiment |
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| Jardin intérieur |
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| Côté jardin |
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| Fenêtre intérieure |
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| Estampe de la réception à Fontainebleau |
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| Reconstitution de la Couronne incrustée de rubis. |
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