3c. Thai Royal Gifts in Perspective: Symbols of a Lasting Friendship
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king does continue to bestow insignia of rank upon Western heads of state
from time to time; however, by the end of King Chulalongkorn's 43-year
reign, much of the traditional insignia worn by the king and noblemen
at court had been replaced by Western symbols. Western-style military uniforms had for the
most part replaced the imported Indian Benares silks; new Western-style
medals replaced other insignia; and the power of the king was no longer
measured in the number of people, craftsmen and others, whose labor he
controlled. The king's power had to confront and become more analogous
to a Western power in some respects -- the Kings became great benefactors,
and prevented colonial encroachment through Western-style treaty agreements;
the Kingdom gained new wealth from international trade.
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Thai
Royal Gifts have changed from being part of a tribute-fed redistributive
system centered on the court to the type of gift that focuses instead
on the role of the Thai court as benefactors of Thai tradition, emphasizing
the artistic talents and accomplishments of the people of Thailand. |
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Gallery 1 |
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Gallery 2 |
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Gallery 3 |
3c. Thai Royal Gifts in Perspective |
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Copyright 2000 Smithsonian Institution. All rights reserved. |
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