The exhibition highlights projects initiated by Her Royal Highness that focus on the conservation, restoration, and revitalization of Thai arts and culture. These projects demonstrate Her Royal Highness’s working principles—meticulously studying before preserving—and promote sustainable development for Thai society. They integrate science, technology, traditional knowledge, and innovative methods across various initiatives, including:

          The Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the Grand Palace Renovation Project: On the occasion of the Rattanakosin Bicentennial, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn assumed the royal duty of leading the restoration and renovation of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the Grand Palace. With her meticulous attention to detail, Her Royal Highness emphasized the importance of research and study prior to conservation, which laid the foundation for restoring valuable aspects of ancient Thai cultural heritage that had been lost over time. Among these was the decoration of stained glass in the chapel and surrounding structures.  Recognizing the cultural value of “Kriab Glass,” a long-lost traditional Siamese mosaic art, Her Royal Highness commissioned research into its historical glass-firing techniques. The remaining original glass fragments from the chapel gallery’s pillars and a Bai Sema arch were collected to serve as reference material for future scholars and researchers. This initiative spurred further study into alternative materials by integrating scientific knowledge with traditional Thai craftsmanship, leading to culturally resonant innovations. One prominent example is the research project by Dr. Ratchapon Tajaya, a science lecturer with ancestral roots in the Tai Khern community. Inspired by ancient texts and traditional colored glass-making techniques, Dr. Ratchapon successfully revived a traditional production technique known as glass firing. His work has since expanded to support the restoration of royal regalia, historic sites, and national treasures, such as the throne of Phra Si Sakyamuni at Wat Suthat Thepwararam—which houses the royal remains of King Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII)—as well as the reclining Buddha at Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimonmangklaram (Wat Pho). These efforts contribute to the preservation of Thailand’s artistic and spiritual heritage, ensuring that the beauty of its civilization endures for future generations.

          Conservation of the Royal Portraits of King Chulalongkorn and King Vajiravudh: On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of King Chulalongkorn’s passing, a group of academics from the Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University conducted a survey and found that the royal portraits of King Chulalongkorn and King Vajiravudh, enshrined in the Mahachulalongkorn Building, were over a century old and significantly deteriorated. These portraits are invaluable photographic works—early 20th-century life-size images printed from glass film onto large sheets of paper, a rare and complex technique of the time. Aware of the high risk of damage from opening the original frames for restoration, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn initiated a study into alternative conservation methods. Under Her Royal Highness’s patronage, the Royal Portrait Conservation Project was launched, employing a systematic approach that included research, preservation of the originals, and the creation of high-fidelity reproductions. Notably, the project utilized the platinum-palladium photographic printing technique, renowned for its exceptional image stability and tonal quality, ensuring that the reproductions will endure for another century without color fading. This conservation effort highlights the importance of documenting and archiving historical materials, establishing a valuable body of knowledge for the study and preservation of ancient sites, national treasures, and significant records of Thai art and cultural history, including those currently located overseas. This initiative ultimately laid the groundwork for the establishment of the Arc of Memory Research Unit. 

          The “Arc of Memory” Research Unit : Digital Archiving of Siam’s History during the Reigns of King Rama V and King Rama VI: Originating from the mission to preserve the royal portraits of King Rama V and King Rama VI, the Arc of Memory Research Unit was developed to further the preservation of Siam’s historical documents. The project uses innovative technologies to document the past and build a comprehensive knowledge archive for the future. Supported by Siam Commercial Bank through the Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Foundation for the Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University, the project is led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Neungreudee Lohapon.  It focuses on identifying, collecting, and repatriating important Thai historical materials scattered across the world, in alignment with the royal wish of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. These materials are preserved as high-resolution digital archives to ensure long-term accessibility and scholarly value. 

          As part of the exhibition, several unseen materials are being presented to the public for the first time. Notably, these include a copy of the original blueprint of the Siam Commercial Bank building, the first Thai bank, designed by Mr. Mario Tamagno, an Italian architect employed by the Siamese government during the reigns of King Rama V and King Rama VI. After completing his more than 25-year tenure in Siam, Mr. Tamagno returned to Italy and kept the blueprint at his residence. The exhibition also features a photograph of the Siam Commercial Bank building alongside handwritten correspondence by Mr. Tamagno, in which he listed his architectural works. In his notes, he stated that he served as the technical supervisor responsible for construction and budget oversight during the building’s development between 1909 and 1910, while Mr. Annibale Rigotti was credited as the lead architect. To recover and digitally preserve these significant artifacts, the project team traveled to Italy with the generous cooperation of Professor Elena Tamagno, Mr. Tamagno’s heir. These contributions enrich Thailand’s historical archives and support the continued study and appreciation of national heritage.

          The SCBX Group invite those interested to explore the royal initiatives and contributions of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn in the field of cultural conservation. The exhibition highlights the “Wisdom of the Kingdom: A Digital Chronicle of Siam” and the restoration of Thai cultural heritage through “Glass Mirror: The Wonder of Fine Arts of Siam.” Join us in honoring Her Royal Highness, the Conservationist Princess, at the Thai Bank Museum, Siam Commercial Bank, Head Office (Ratchayothin), from now until December 30, 2025, Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed on bank holidays).