Old photos of HM the King's early reign go on show at National Archive building

A door to the early years of His Majesty the King's reign is creaking open at Pathum Thani's Khlong 5 National Archives building, where members of the public are getting a preview of an exhibition of rare images. The full exhibition of 50,000 old photographs of His Majesty will be officially launched next year in May, but this taster is part of celebrations for the King's birthday on Friday.

Adventures upcountry

The 75-rai archive facility was built in 1997 after His Majesty expressed worries that old records documenting important events in the life of the Kingdom could be lost over time.

National Archives director Sureerat Wong sa-ngiem said yesterday that the Khlong 5 National Archives currently stored 6,128 items and documents relating to the King's work. They include rare old pictures given by the Bureau of the Royal Household, among them black-and-white photos of His Majesty in his late 20s during a visit to Udon Thani. The archives also accept donations of images of the young King taken during his visits upcountry, said Sureerat. They are added to the store of national heritage.