His Majesty King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) was Siam’s first ruler to travel outside the kingdom in peacetime. In 1871, at the age of just 17, the King visited Singapore and Java to observe modern technology and Western-style governance. This was in keeping with His Majesty’s goal to modernize Siam as well as establish friendship between Siam, England and the Netherlands. After this brief visit, His Majesty returned to Java on longer, private trips in 1896 and in 1901. He visited many famous centers of batik production, bringing back a collection of 307 pieces, including several rare surviving examples. The collection also includes inventory tags with informative details such as place of origin, pattern name and price for many of the pieces – exceptionally rare documentation. The exhibition presents excellent examples of batik from His Majesty’s collection which have never been publicly displayed. This is the third installation of the exhibition that wi ll end in June. 

We will be guided through the gallery by a museum docent with opportunities to shop afterwards.

Meeting time: 10:00 prompt

Cost: B200 Member; B250 Non-member

For information and reservation contact bkk.tts@gmail.com