Smyrna times., 1933-10-04
PHOTOS HOBBY
OF SIAM KING
Ruler Has His Own Camera
and Handles 1t Like
An Expert
LOVES WORKS OF ART

Observation-Disclosures, remote Bang
kok. capital of Siam, where, for the
second time in year, a military
coup without casualties has given
the king an entirely new govern
mental personnel, continues its
march toward westernization. One
of the latest innovations is a pala-
tial cinema hall which incorporates
all the details of an up-to-date
American motion-picture theater.
saws a bulletin from the National
Geographic society.
King PrajadhipOk is responsible
for this new $4,000 building in the
capital city, having secured part Of
the inspiration for its construction
during his visit to motion-picture
companies when he was In the
United States two years ago.
This theater, one of the most
modern in the Far East" continues
the bulletin, lis a welcome improve
ment to Bangkok residents who are
interested in celluloid drama. All Of
the older cinema houses have been
hopelessly inadequate since the ad-
vent Of sound pictures, because most
Of them are barn-like structures,
built largely of corrugated iron and
possessing exceedingly poor ac-
oustics.
Besides directing the affairs OF
state in the country Of nearly p
100000 people. the king finds time
to operate several American-made
amateur motion-picture cameras
with almost professional skill. Even
the queen. Rambaibarni, as well as
many other members Of the royal
family and persons in official circles,
are enthusiastic photographers In
both still and motion pictures.
Filmed BY Royalty.
Every year at its exhibition Of
paintings and photographs. the
siam Art club. which enjoys the pa
tronage of the king, usually has q
number Of entries in superb mono
chrome and color work produced by
one Of the kings half-brothers. An
amateur motion-picture club, Of
which the king is a member. was
I organized about four years ago. And
Y on several occasions the club mem
bers have been invited to the royal
No 10 -h nf
movies made BY their majesties.
siam is one of the best fields in
the world for persons with the
hobby Of making pictures. The
architectural features and the
wealth Of color in Bangkok's several
hundred temples present inexhaust.
ible opportunities for the artist
whatever his medium Of expression
may be. Here, certainly. the word
unique has significance, for no
where else in the world does one
find such a variety Of mosaics il
pearl, tile, and bits of glass; mul
tiple roofs with dragon heads ter
minating their corners; or sucf
flower-bedecked prachedis (or vo
tive spires) as in Siam.
Fascinating Subjects.
The many canals teeming will
boat traffic, the fields where thE
country grows rice that places he
third among rice-exporting nations
and the northern hills in which th'
valuable teak trees are cut anC
then hauled by elephants to streams
to be floated to Bangkok. are fas
cinating subjects for a camera lens
Slams religious ceremonies ant
state professions are many and va
ried, possessing the chromatic splen
dor Of rich oriental costumes. Re
Gently one of the princes gave
striking private showing of thou
sands of feet of amateur natura
color film that he had made of tn
royal barge procession of the hun
dreds of fantastic boats used Il
bearing the king and his follower
on visit to present gifts to tn
Buddhist temples; the state pre-
cessions by palanquin; and the an
: nual round Of ancient ceremonie:
Not only had the pictures bee
taken by the prince, but the film
were processed In his own labora
tory"