Vimanmek Mansion
The world's largest golden teakwood mansion.
- Upon his return from Europe in 1897, King Rama V (1868-1910) used his personal money to
purchase orchards and paddy fields between Padung krungkasem Canal
and Samsen Canal for the construction of a royal garden which he named 'the Dusit Garden'.
At the west side of Residence Vimanmek
- The first permanent residence in Dusit Gaden was VIMANMEK MANSION, built in 1900 by the royal
command or King Rama V. The mansion was really his old Summer Palace. The King had the Munthaturatanaroj
Residence from Chonburi, dismantled and rebuilt under the supervition of HRH Prince Narissaranuwaddhiwongse.
At the west side of Residence Vimanmek
- The celebration for the completion of Vimanmek Mansion was held on March 27, 1901. King Rama V moved
his residence from the Grand Palace to stay permanently at Vimanmek Mansion for 5 years until the completion
of Amporm Satarn Residence in 1906.
The spacious portico that extends from the octagonal hall down to Jade Basin
Vimanmek Mansion is framed by four canals, Klong Rong Mai Hom in the east,
Klong Karb Pan Krachok in the north and Klong Rang Ngern (Silver Channel Canel) in the west,
and best known of all is the large stretch of water on the south named
Ang Yok (Jade Basin) because of the natural greenness of its water.
The loggia glimpsed through green foliage that seen on the right of this picture
Vimanmek Mansion is the largest residence in Dusit Garden. Its elaborate architectural style reflects
a western influence. The building has was two right-angles wings. Eash wing is 60 metres long
and 20 metres high. It is three-storey building except for the part where
the King resided, which is octagonal and four-storey. The ground floor is brick and cement. The upper floors
are built of golden teakwood. There are altogether 31 exhibition rooms, some of which try to maintain the
atmosphere of the past, for example, the bedrooms, the throne room and the bathrooms. Some rooms house
exhibitions of art works, for example, there is a silverware display room, a ceramic display room, a glassware
display room and an ivory display room.
Show of traditional Thai dancing, each day there are two shows of traditional Thai dancing at 10.30 a.m. and at 2 p.m., at Residence Vimanmek
Besides Vimanmek Mansion and Amporm Satarn Residence in the compound of Dusit Gaden or Dusit
Palace (as it was later renamed by King Rama V), King Rama V allocated plots of land for the construction
of residendences for his consert, princesses and his other wives. He also named gardens, canals, gates and
roads after the names of ancient Chinese ceramics commonly called "Khrueng Kim Tung", which were very
popular at the time. For example, the residence that belonged to HRH Srisawarindhira was named Suan Hong
Residence (Swan Garden Residence). Now these residences, which are no longer used by the Road Family
and located north of Vimanmek Mansion, are turned into museum buildings and a hall for royal coaches on
show to the public.
Museum hours are from 9.30 a.m. to 3.15 p.m. every day, including weekends and pubic holidays.
Each day there are two shows of traditional Thai dancing at 10.30 a.m. and at 2 p.m.
Location : Rajavithi Road, Dusit, Bangkok 10300
Telephone : 281-4715, 281-6880
Admission fee : adults 50 baht
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