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The International Journal of the Royal Society of Thailand

Volume XVI-2024 (Special Issue)

Since the past, every Siamese (Thai) king has faithfully fostered the Buddhist religion in

every way, especially in building temples to provide basic facilities for carrying out religious
activities, and making them sacred places of worship that may be perceived as precious jewels

of the Thai society. In addition to temples, such jewels also include palaces. The Grand Palace,
built by the king since the beginning of the Rattanakosin Period for example, is exquisitely majestic

and possesses supreme art and architectural value as a result of having well-prepared resources
such as manpower, financial budget, skill and wisdom, that were given full support through the

power of faith, commitment and expectation.
After the change in the ruling system from that of absolute monarchy to democratic

governing system, the role of the king with regards to creating Thai architecture also changed from
that of being directly involved in the process, to merely expressing royal intentions and ideas

or giving comments and advice with the benefit of the people in mind. Such change emerged
during the period of King Rama IX and continued under the present King Vajiralongkorn (Rama X),

as can be seen implied by the latter’s statement declaring that “We shall continue to preserve,
protect, upgrade, and reign with justice for the perpetual benefit of all people”. The statement

indicates His Majesty’s determination to uphold all things of value and make them even more
valuable. This includes Thai architecture which is of undeniable precious value, and it is perhaps

already quite apparent to all Thais that His concern with regards to preserving works of Thai
architecture that are directly associated with the monarchy, is significant towards maintaining a

dignified image of the Royal Institution within the power invested in the king as with those of
other nation’s head of state.

King Rama X has also been dutifully involved in carrying out numerous meritable deeds.
Some of these are, for example, taking Wat Vajiradhammasathit Voraviharn temple under

His patronage since its inception, and attended religious ceremonies for the construction of
the temple’s various different buildings, taking the Triple Gems (Phra Rattanatrai) Foundation

under His patronage to support religious studies, educational welfare, propagate teachings of
Dharma, and honor the nation’s religious institution, and chaired the Steering Committee for

a project to create a sculpture of the Buddha image on the cliff-face of Kao Cheechan in Cholburi
Province. In addition to that, He also personally attended ceremonies in laying foundation stones,

raising temple finials, and presided over inauguration events of chapels and buildings of various
temples. An example of Thai architecture in which King Rama X was particularly involved in the

construction with great faith, was the Teaching (multipurpose) Hall of Wat Niwet Thammaprawat
Ratchavoraviharn temple at Bang Pa-In District of Ayutthaya Province in which He attended

the foundation laying ceremony, and followed its building progress at close inspection until

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