A collector's item about the Ramakien

The reason for this article is an article in the Bangkok Post of September 8, 2011. It has been almost forty years since I first Thailand visited and of course I then saw all the mandatory tourist sights.

The Wat Phra Kaew made the biggest impression without a doubt. I remember the mural being restored at that time. That was in 1972. Now forty years later it is due for a makeover again.

Over the years I took thousands of photos of this mural. Not a single one holiday, from 1972 annually or more often, I skipped the temple. I had several photos printed in the Netherlands in a format of 60 by 80 centimetres. I pasted them on chipboard and so they adorned my successive houses for many years. Some have survived to this day.

At the end of 1991 I was visiting Asia Books on Sukhumvit when I was struck by a recently published book. On the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the current dynasty (Rattanakosin), a voluminous book was published entitled The Ramakian. Coffeetable format, over 500 pages and more than a thousand photos. A foreword by HRH Princess Sirindhorn and more importantly: dozens of black and white photos of HRH King Bhumipol in the introduction. In his younger years, the King always had a camera around his neck during working visits to the country, hence. Even more important to me was the stated circulation: 3.000 copies. I immediately felt that this would become a collector's item. The price was 1.600 Baht at the time, probably the highest price I had spent for a book up to that point. No doubt, I had to have this book. I don't know if my copy made it into a collector's item, because fate was not favorable to me.

On my last day in Thailand I counted at the counter of Asia Hotel off Suriwong Road. My luggage consisted of a large bag with clothes and a diplomat's case with only books, including my wonderful book. I stood at the counter for less than two minutes when I looked back at my luggage. My diplomatic briefcase was gone. In a panic I started screaming and ran to the exit. Nothing to see. I realized that the thief hadn't walked out, but in. The police didn't feel like it, especially since I had to catch a plane. Deeply disillusioned, I returned to the Netherlands. Without collector's item.

The following year I came back to Thailand and to my delight there was a reprint of 5.000 copies. This is now in the cupboard. Later I couldn't find the book in the bookstore anymore, so it must be sold out. I'm not lending it out.

The Ramakien or the Glory of Rama is the mythological story of ancient gods and what they mean to mankind. Originally it comes from the Hindu faith. The first written version dates back to the fourth century BC and was found in India. In Thailand, the first version dates from the Sukhothai period. In the Ayutthaya period, most of the specimens were lost to fire. Under Rama I (1736-1809) the current version was written down. In his reign, The Grand Palace was also built and the adjacent Wat Phra Kaew. The walls of this temple were decorated with the painted story of the Ramakien.

The Ramayana, the great epic of India, is the story of Prince Rama, his brother Lakshmana and his wife Sita. The main thrust of the story concerns the abduction of Sita by the demon Ravana. She is taken to Lanka (the city with the golden walls). Finally, with the help of Hanuman, Ravana is killed by Rama.

The complete story can be found, in Dutch, op www.arsfloreat.nl/documents/Ramayana1.pdf