The exhibition "The Centenary of Prince Chula Chakrabongse" opens today at 10.30am at Chakrabongs House in Ta Tien on Maharaj Road, Bangkok.
Prince Chula Chakrabongse, born 100 years ago this year, the only son of HRH Prince Chakrabongse Bhuvanath and his Russian wife, Mom Katherine Desnitsky. After a happy childihood in Paruskavan Palace, adored by his parents and his doting grandomother, Queen Saowapha Phongsri, the 11-year-old prince's world fell apart: his parents divorced, then his mother left for China in 1919, his grandmother died in May of the same year follwed by his father in June 1920. His much-loved guardian and uncle, King Rama VI then sent him away to school in England, English.
These events and his later successful career as manager of the White Mouse racing team(with Prince Bira as driver) are recorded in Prince Chula's seminal work "Born in Paruskavan Palace" (In Thai) still in print after 12 editions. Four years before his untimely death in 1963, he published "Lords of Life-A History of the Chakri Dynasty". which was included in the list of "One Hundred Books All Thais Should Read"
Now for the first time, Chakrabongse House his beautiful Bangkok home on the banks of the Chao Phya, is open to the public for a limited period. Visitors will also get to see a documentary by his grandson. Dominic Phuwasawat Chakrabongse, which includes rare footage of Prince Chula's pre-war motor-racing days.
Entry is Bt500, which gets you a copy of the 120-page memoir of the prince(in Thai) together with a copy of the film. All proceeds from the sale o fthe book will go to the charity set up by Prince Chula wich grants scholarships to needy university students.
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