There is an interesting story about the birth of Bangkok's National Theater.
Around 1934, Luang Vichitvadakarn was transferred from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Fine Arts Department as the department's first director-general. At that time, Siam was under the treat of imperialism from Western powers; a difficult situation that Luang Vichitvadakarn believed could be countered through patriotism. Instilling patriotism into the public domain, he reasoned, would create unity among the people and encourage them to make sacrifices for the country.
After establishing the School of Music and Drama, he began to train students to perform on stage and sing patriotic songs – but there wasn't a stage where students could perform. Undaunted, Luang Vichitvadakarn sought financial assistance from the government to build a theater. Later, he wrote that his request was turned down with everyone laughing at him at a meeting of the budget committee. Bitterly, he revealed that this was worse than begging, saying that even beggars would not be treated in such a disdainful manner.
He then decided to build a temporary theater, erecting bamboo posts to support a canvas roof. He borrowed chairs for the audience and staged the first patriotic play called Luead Suphan (Illustrious Blood) in 1936. It was a huge hit, attracting large audiences.
On one occasion, Chao Phraya Si Thammathibet, at that time minister of finance, came to watch the play, afterwards promising funding for the construction of a theater. Luang Vichitvadakarn wrote that he was so elated he was unable to sleep; his dream of having a national theater to publicize art and culture was about to become real.
He went to see the minister of finance to be advised that financial assistance would be provided. However, the amount was just 6,500 Baht, just sufficient to replace the bamboo and hardwood and cover the structure with galvanized metal sheeting.
Though confronted with such obstacles he refused to give up. Fortunately, Luead Suphan continued to receive good reviews from the people, many bringing food with them to eat in the grounds of the theater. Audiences flocked to buy tickets. On one occasion, when ticket stock ran out, the people broke down the door to enter the grounds to stand and watch the play.
The Luead Suphan play led to the birth of Bangkok's National Theater, which was referred to at the time as the Fine Arts Auditorium. Later, Bangkok residents had the opportunity to watch nine more plays staged by this theater, including King Taksin, Ratchamanu, Princess Saen Wi, Nan Chao and Maha Thewi. These plays were based on historical accounts and urged people to be grateful for the great benevolence displayed by Thai Kings and past, brave warriors who had sacrificed their lives to protect the Kingdom of Thailand.
Initially, Luang Vichitvadakarn thought the national theater might serve the government for five years, but it lasted more than 20 before being razed to the ground in an accidental fire.
Finally, in 1960, he received financing from the government to build a new national theater to extend Thai art and culture to avert their disappearance with time. Today, the national theater stands as a prominent landmark of Bangkok.
