The Vimanmek Palace officially named Vimanmek Mansion, is a former
Royal Palace in
Bangkok,
Thailand. It is also known as the Vimanmek Teak Mansion or Vimanmek Mansion. It is located in the Dusit Palace complex, nearby
Dusit Zoo in Dusit district.
Construction
In 1897 King Rama V paid a royal visit to
Europe visiting many of the Royal Palaces. Upon his return he purchased orchards and paddy fields between Padung Krungkasem Canal and Samsen Canal for the construction of a royal garden which he named “the Dusit Garden”- see Dusit Palace for more on the palace area.
Vimanmek Palace was constructed in 1900 by having the Munthatu Rattanaroj Residence in Chuthathuj Rachathan at Ko Sichang,
Chonburi, dismantled and reassembled in Dusit Garden as the first permanent residence in the garden. Not a single nail was used during its construction. The interior decoration fuses Europe’s neoclassical style with traditional Thai motifs and architecture, and early 20th Century modernization.
History
In 1982 Queen Sirikit asked permission of King Rama IX to renovate Vimanmek Palace 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 national heritage. The palace is now a major tourist attraction and is the
World's largest golden teakwood mansion. Many of the gifts and treasures that King Chulalongkorn collected on his European trip are now displayed in the museum.
Visitors
Visitors to the palace should be aware that "appropriate address" is required for entry. This means a collared shirt (short-sleeves are OK) and trousers - no shorts, ripped jeans or T-shirts. Appropriate attire (a sarong basically) can be purchased if need be when you get there.
All cameras and phones must be left in lockers (you will pass through a scanner on the way in) and shoes must be removed also. There is a fee for the lockers. Admittance is by guided tour which are in Thai or English.
