The Story of Tongdaeng, by King Bhumibol, courtesy Thai Welfare Association, photograph Ed Giles.
The Monarchy
Traditionally the Thai monarch was not seen by the public until the rise of photography, when the widely popular King Mongkut (1851-1868) had portraits of himself made and distributed. His son King Chulalongkon (1868-1910) followed suit and the portraits are now a familiar sight all over Thailand.
Two 100 baht Thai bank notes Special Commemorative Edition, courtesy Nutcha Srisalap and Suchada Sririnnuch, photograph Ed Giles.
In modern-day Thailand this reverence for the royal family is expressed through the display of portraits of the king and previous monarchs in shopfronts and at home. The Thai community in Sydney carries on this tradition and in many Thai restaurants portraits of past and present kings are proudly displayed.