Here are our highlight places to visit in Bangkok.
Vimanmek Mansion
An outstanding example of 19th century architecture.
While admiring the craftsmanship of the carpenters, you
will travel back through time to gain a rare insight into
the lifestyle of royalty.
Vimanmek Mansion, the principal building
in the palace compound, was built for King Rama V on land
he named The Dusit Garden located between Padung Krungkasem
and Samsen canals.
The completion was celebrated on March 27,
1901 and King RamaV took up residence until 1906. The mansion
was originally his Summer Palace, the Munthaturaltanaroj
Residence, on Sri Chang Island. It was dismantled and re-built
at the present location under the supervision of HRH Prince
Narissaranuwaddhiwongse.
The three-storey Vimanmek Mansion is the largest
golden teak building in the world, built in an architectural
style that reflects European influences. There are two right-angled
wings, each 60 metres long and 20 metres high. The section
where The King resided is octagonal and has four storeys.
The mansion has 81 rooms, halls and ante-chambers.
Following King Rama V moving to Amporn Satarn
Mansion in 1906, Vimanmek Mansion was un-occupied until
1925 when King Rama VI gave permission for his wife, HRH
Indharasaksaji to take up residence there. She stayed there
until his death.
For the next 50 years it was used as just
a storage area for the Bureau of the Royal Household until
1982 when HRH Queen Sirikit initiated its restoration as
a museum to commemorate King Rama V.
Today, there are 31 exhibition rooms. Exhibits
include a silverware room, ceramic display room, glassware
and ivory display. Some of the rooms have been preserved
to retain the atmosphere of the earlier era, particularly
the bedrooms, bathrooms and the Audience Chamber. Other
buildings in the compound also house displays of various
artifacts and precious art objects.
How to get there
Bus Routes : 6, 9, 15, 19, 25, 30, 32,
33, 39, 43, 44, 47, 53, 59, 60, 64, 65, 70, 80, 82
Pier : Chao Phraya Express Boat: Tha Chang
Pier
Opening Hour : Daily 8 am-4
pm
Admission Fee : THB 200-nett/person
Prohibited : Taking photo inside
the ubosot, Man: Shorts Pants Slippers, Woman: Undershirt
Singlet Shorts Sandals
