M.C. Samaichaloem Kritakara was born in 1895 at Wang Phra Athit, Bangkok, on the same day as King Chulalongkorn’s birthday, which inspired his given name, “Samaichaloem,” meaning “celebrating the era.” He was the ninth son of Prince Nares Varariddhi, and belonged to the influential Kritakara family. His life and career unfolded during a crucial period when Siam was transforming into a modern nation-state, navigating between tradition and modernity.

He studied architecture in France at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris from 1918 to 1927. This was a time when Siam sought to modernise its institutions and aesthetics, often looking to Europe as a model. Samaichaloem trained under master architects who had also taught Jacques Carlu, designer of the Palais de Chaillot. His education instilled in him the Beaux-Arts principles of classical symmetry, monumentality, and refined craftsmanship, which would later shape the built environment of Bangkok.

Upon returning to Siam in 1928, he entered government service in the Department of Fine Arts and later the Ministry of the Interior and the Royal Household. One of his most significant contributions was the design of Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre, completed in 1933. The theatre was built to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Bangkok and symbolised Siam’s commitment to progress. With its grand façade, modern air-conditioning system, and fusion of Western and Thai design elements, it stood as a beacon of cultural modernity.

Samaichaloem’s architectural work not only embraced European modernism but also served royal and nationalistic purposes. Through his designs, he helped express Siam’s ambition to be seen as a civilised, forward-looking nation on the world stage. He also played a key role in shaping architectural education in Thailand, serving as Dean of the Faculty of Decorative Arts at Silpakorn University, and teaching at Chulalongkorn University.

In the later years of his life, M.C. Samaichaloem Kritakara played a significant role in the design of Bangkok City Hall, a major civic building that reflected the maturity of his architectural vision. The project was completed around 1941 and marked one of his key contributions to public architecture during Thailand’s modernisation period.

In addition to this, he was also involved in the renovation of the royal residential halls within the Grand Palace in preparation for the royal ceremonies celebrating the return of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) and Queen Sirikit to Bangkok. These renovations were undertaken to enhance the grandeur and function of the palace for the auspicious occasion. The project incorporated a thoughtful blend of Thai and Western architectural styles in both structural adjustments and interior decoration, aiming for harmony, dignity, and aesthetic refinement. The restoration work began in 1949 and was completed in 1957, representing a meticulous effort to bridge tradition and modern functionality in the context of royal ceremony and national representation.

M.C. Samaichaloem Kritakara remains a key figure in Thai architectural history, representing a generation that laid the foundations for modern architecture in the country. His legacy lives on through landmark buildings, institutional reforms, and the professional bodies he helped establish, including the founding of the Association of Siamese Architects in 1933.