At present there are two new buildings situated north and south of Suan
Hong Residence. They are musuem buildings displaying royal carriages.
They were officially opened on August 12, 1989 to commemorate Her Majesty the Queen's Birthday.
Glass State Coach : Steuart Co., Culucutta
The horse-drawn carriage was first introduced into Thailand during the
early Rattanakosin Period; however, it was not popular at that time. Only
the King and the Royal Family used horse-drawn carriages. After King Rama V
returned from visiting Europe in 1897, the horse-drawn carriage
gained more popularity. King Rama V instructed Chao Praya Devesrawongse
Vivadhana and Praya Nithet Panit, consuls to Singapore, to export horses to Thailand for drawing his carriages.
Royal vehicle coaches museum
During the reign of King Rama VI, horse-drawn carriages were widely
used. He established the Assawarat Office for preparing and maintaining
horses and carriages for official purposes. Moreover, it had to train drivers and horses for such puposes.
Royal vehicle coaches museum
During the reign of King Rama VII, the popularity of the horse-drawn
carriage declined because of the introduction of cars into Thailand and of the poor condition of the existing coaches.
Royal vehicle coaches museum
Most of the royal carriages displayed in the museum are those used
during the reigns of King Rama V and King Rama VI. They are for the King,
the immediate members of the Royal Family and other members of the Royal Family.
- Coaches for the King. There are many kinds on display, such as the
Glass State Coach given to King Rama V by the British government. He
used it on important occasions such as the opening ceremony of the
Parliament session. Another one is the C Spring Phaetion. King Rama VI
used it on the occasion of awarding the Darby Cup at the Royal Turf Club.
- Coaches for immediate members of the royal family. One of them is
the English Landau. During World War II, in the reigns of King Rama VIII, it
was slightly damaged by bomb splinters.
- Coaches for high-ranking members of the royal family. One of them
is also a Landau. It was used to join in the King's procession.
In addition, there are coaches for low-ranking members of the Royal
Family and those used for training conducted by the Assawarat Office during
the reign of King Rama VI on display.
