A team of creators led by Master Duangkaew Phityakornsilp had come up with the idea to create Thai-style wax figures following Madame Tussauds’ methods. The process, however, had met with several complications, notably the country’s weather with its high temperature and humidity as well as a high level of dust, an unfavorable condition for wax figures which are made from non-lasting material.

Master Duangkaew had spent more than 10 years in researching and experimenting with materials that could replace wax, on the condition that it must be strong and does not compromise the special characteristics of wax figures. He finally managed to build modern wax figures from “fiberglass” with its solid and neat quality that could contribute to the making of the near-perfect wax human figures. Fiberglass also produces a softer touch than wax.

Later, Master Duangkaew succeeded in creating the most human-like wax figure made from fiberglass for the first time. This masterpiece is the wax figure of Prarachsangwara (Luang Pu Toh Intasuwano) of Pradochimplee Temple Bangkok after 3 years in the making. Following the achievement, the creator team all agreed that this work should be promoted as the fiberglass wax figure can bring reputation to the country. In 1984, the team laid out the plan for the fiberglass wax museum project under the name “Thai Human Imagery Museum.” The 2-level-building exhibits these following wax figure sets:

1. Historical Set – This shows the wax figures of the 8 Kings of the Chakri Dynasty to commemorate Their Majesties’ gloriousness.
2. Famous Monk Sets – This consists of 17 wax figures of famous Thai monks.
3. Lifestyle Set – This one comprises the wax figure sets “Playing Thai chess”, “Thai family”, “Watching the News”, “Pretty Secretary” and “Take A Break.”
4. Famous People Set – This is a special wax figure exhibition dedicated to 3 Thai musical masters and 3 of the world’s famous people.
5. Rama V and the Abolition of Slavery Set
6. Sunthorn Phu’s Phra Aphai Mani Set
7. Thai Children’s Games Set

Currently the Thai Human Imagery Museum exhibits 125 wax figures in total, with more wax sculpture anticipated.