The Culture Ministry plans to save documents, photographs, video clips, condolence poems, maps and plans as well as all sacred rituals relating to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej for the national archives.
Culture Minister Vira Rojpojchanarat said Tuesday the archives will be divided into five parts -- a biography and royal initiatives of the late King, the late King's ailing health and passing, religious ceremonies and merit-making for the late King at the Grand Palace, building and preparation of the royal funeral pyre and the royal cremation ceremony for the late King.
Mr Veera said the ministry has compiled photos, newspaper and video clips from the public, news media and various agencies, who have recorded many moments since the passing of King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Oct 13. "At present, we have more than 40,000 photos, 10,000 condolence poems and 200 songs taken or written by national artists and the public; however we still need to collect more material to complete the archive," Mr Veera said.
He urged the public to provide the National Archive of Thailand (NAT) with any contributions they think might be worthy. "All photos and video clips have their own archive value and could possibly be selected by the Culture Ministry to be stored in the archives," he said.
Mr Veera said the NAT has only 480 contributors recording events related to the late King since his death, so the public would be most welcome to make their own. They can send their photos or video clips directly to NAT headquarters in Dusit district. If their material is selected, they will be credited, he said.
Mr Veera said the ministry also plans to organise a special exhibition about Thailand's monarchy, the late King's philosophy on a the sufficiency economy and a collection of photographs submitted by the public.
NAT archivist Chawan Koopipat asked the public to send original and not doctored pictures for the archives, since the project's aim is to capture history.