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the end of his reign, King Rama VI (1910-1925) gave permission
to her Majesty Indharasaksaji to stay at Vimanmek Mansion. After
the King's death, she moved to stay at another residence in
Suan Hong compound norht of Vimanmek Mansion and the Mansion
was closed.
King Rama VII (1925-1934)
renovated the Mansion several times. For example, he ordered
the installation of new electrical wires and the repair of columns
of the main pier at the artificial lake in the garden. But starting
in 1932, Vimanmek Mansion was used only as a storage place of
the Bureau of the Royal Household.
In 1982, on the auspicious
occasion of the Bicentennial Anniversary of Bangkok. Her Majesty
Queen Sirikit, Whohad discovered that Vimanmek Mansion, with
its elaborate architectural style was still intact, asked permission
of His Majesty King Rama IX to renovate the Mansion for use
as a museum to commemorate King Rama V by displaying his photographs,
personal art and handicrafts, and to serve as a showcase of
the Thai nation heritagemfor future generations.
Vimanmek Mansion
is the world's largest golden teakwood mansion with its elaborate
architectural style reflecting western influnce. The building
has two right-angled wings, each wing 60 meters long and meters
high, and is three-storied except for the part where King Rama
V resided, which is octagonal and four-storied. Although the
ground floor is brick and cement, the upper floors are built
of beautiful golden teakwood. Altogether there are 31 exhibition
rooms, with the bedrooms, the throne room and the bathroom maintaining
the atmosphere of the Thai past. Some display rooms house exhibitions
of Thai art including silverware, ceramics, crystalware and
ivory.
Besides Vimanmek
Mansion and Amporn Satarn Residence in the compound of Dusit
Garden (or Dusit Palace as it was later renamed by King Rama
V), King Rama V allocated plots of land for the construction
of residences for his consort, princesses, and other wives.
He also named gardens, canals, gates and roads after ancient
Chinese ceramics (commonly called "khrueng Kin Tung"),
which were very popular at the time. Thus, the residence that
belonged to HRH Srisawarindhira was name Suan Hong Residence
(Swan Garden Residence). These residences located north of Vimanmek
Mansion have been turned into museum buildings and a hall for
royal coaches on show to the public.
Museum Hours:
9.30 a.m. - 3.15 p.m. every day, including weekends and public
holidays.
Traditon Thai Dancing: Two shows daily at 10.30 a.m.
and at 2.00 p.m. Proper attire is required.
Location: Rajavithi Road, Dusit, Bangkok 10300
Phone Number: 628-6300-9
Admission fee: Adults 50 baht.
Students, monks, nuns 20 baht
Photographs cannot
be taken inside the building.
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