London Photo Gallery - Art Exhibitions & Special Events


Siam through the lens of John Thomson (May 2025) To celebrate the 170th anniversary of the Bowring Treaty that established diplomatic relations between Britain and Thailand in 1855, the Royal Geographical Society and Embassy of Thailand are showcasing photos of 19th century Thailand taken by John Thomson, which include royalty, landscapes, and festivals. John Thomson was born in Scotland in 1837 and worked as an apprentice at an optical and scientific instrument manufacturer where he learned photography. He left for Singapore in 1862 and ran a photographic studio, travelling around the region to photograph indigenous peoples. He moved to Siam in 1865, where he took a series of photos of King Mongkut and other royal court members and ceremonies. The Thais were mindful of Western expansionism during this time and signed a series of treaties that opened the country to commerce and ended the crown trade monopoly. This in turn spared them from military aggression and colonialism that their neighbours suffered. The King was well aware of Western ideas and wanted to try out photography, encouraging John to travel outside Bangkok to capture how Thais lived and the country's architectural masterpieces. The Grand Palace in Bangkok in early 1866 during a local ceremony. King Mongkut is shown here arriving at Wat Pho after a procession from the Grand Palace. These 3 photos show Rattanakosin Island and the Chao Phraya River. Beneath that is the same view today. Notice the Grand Palace in both sets and how much Bangkok has changed in 150 years. John also travelled to Hong Kong and China for photo expeditions. In this photo taken by his assistant, he appears with 2 Manchu soldiers in Xiamen (Amoy). This is the Phra Chom Klao Bridge in Phetchaburi. John travelled here by boat and horseback to visit a palace. Kong Mongkut was fond of this area and enjoyed staying at his hilltop palace. It is believed this white elephant was 1 of 12 owned by King Mongkut. These are rare animals and highly revered in Siam, a sign of the king's power. The Crown Prince is photographed here in the Grand Palace wearing a traditional Thai dress with embroidered slippers. This 42.95m-long royal barge in the photo is now conserved in the Royal Barges Museum in Bangkok. It required 54 oarsmen and 4 steersmen to operate. This photo of King Mongkut was put on display at the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1867. King Mongkut wears a French Field Marshal uniform in this 1865 photo. The sash was presented to him on behalf of Emperor Napoleon III in 1863. Exhibition Website : click here

Siam through the lens of John Thomson (May 2025)
To celebrate the 170th anniversary of the Bowring Treaty that established diplomatic relations between Britain and Thailand in 1855, the Royal Geographical Society and Embassy of Thailand are showcasing photos of 19th century Thailand taken by John Thomson, which include royalty, landscapes, and festivals.
John Thomson was born in Scotland in 1837 and worked as an apprentice at an optical and scientific instrument manufacturer where he learned photography. He left for Singapore in 1862 and ran a photographic studio, travelling around the region to photograph indigenous peoples. He moved to Siam in 1865, where he took a series of photos of King Mongkut and other royal court members and ceremonies.
The Thais were mindful of Western expansionism during this time and signed a series of treaties that opened the country to commerce and ended the crown trade monopoly. This in turn spared them from military aggression and colonialism that their neighbours suffered.
The King was well aware of Western ideas and wanted to try out photography, encouraging John to travel outside Bangkok to capture how Thais lived and the country's architectural masterpieces.

The Grand Palace in Bangkok in early 1866 during a local ceremony.

King Mongkut is shown here arriving at Wat Pho after a procession from the Grand Palace.

These 3 photos show Rattanakosin Island and the Chao Phraya River. Beneath that is the same view today. Notice the Grand Palace in both sets and how much Bangkok has changed in 150 years.

John also travelled to Hong Kong and China for photo expeditions. In this photo taken by his assistant, he appears with 2 Manchu soldiers in Xiamen (Amoy).

This is the Phra Chom Klao Bridge in Phetchaburi. John travelled here by boat and horseback to visit a palace. Kong Mongkut was fond of this area and enjoyed staying at his hilltop palace.

It is believed this white elephant was 1 of 12 owned by King Mongkut. These are rare animals and highly revered in Siam, a sign of the king's power.

The Crown Prince is photographed here in the Grand Palace wearing a traditional Thai dress with embroidered slippers.

This 42.95m-long royal barge in the photo is now conserved in the Royal Barges Museum in Bangkok. It required 54 oarsmen and 4 steersmen to operate.

This photo of King Mongkut was put on display at the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1867.

King Mongkut wears a French Field Marshal uniform in this 1865 photo. The sash was presented to him on behalf of Emperor Napoleon III in 1863.

Exhibition Website : click here

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