Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
first European tour in 1897 (he was the first Thai monarch to visit the continent), he
returned home with visions of European castles and set about transforming these
styles into a uniquely Thai expression: today's Dusit Palace Park. The royal palace,
throne hall and minor palaces for extended family were all moved here from Ko
Ratanakosin, the ancient royal court. Today the current King has yet another home
and this complex now holds a house museum and other cultural collections.
Originally constructed on Ko Si Chang in 1868 and moved to the present site in
1910,
Vimanmaek Teak Mansion
contains 81 rooms, halls and anterooms, and is
said to be the world's largest golden-teak building, apparently built without the use
of a single nail. The mansion was the first permanent building on the Dusit Palace
grounds, and served as Rama V's residence in the early 1900s. Compulsory tours
(in English) leave every half-hour between 9.45am and 3.15pm, and last about an
hour.
The smaller
Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall
, originally built as a throne hall for
Rama V in 1904, is typical of the finer architecture of the era. Victorian-influenced
gingerbread architecture and Moorish porticoes blend to create a striking and dis-
tinctly Thai exterior. The hall houses an excellent display of regional handiwork craf-
ted by members of the Promotion of Supplementary Occupations & Related Tech-
niques (Support) foundation, an organisation sponsored by Queen Sirikit.
Because this is royal property, visitors should wear long pants (no capri pants) or
long skirts and shirts with sleeves.
Activities
Traditional Thai Massage
A good massage is the birthright of every Bangkokian, and the joy of every visitor.
