Vimanmek Masion

King RAMA V ordered the construction of Vimanmek Mansion in the Dusit Palace compound using materials taken from the unfinished Manthad Ratanaroj Pavilion in Chutatuj Palace in Koh Si Chang, which was dismantled for the purpose.

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Tom Williams

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Construction was completed in less than a year. The palace was built in the shape of the Roman letter L with two wings, one running westward, the other northward, joined at an angle of 90 degrees. King Rama V moved from the Grand Palace to live permanently at Vimanmek Mansion on March 24, 1902.

There are altogether 31 apartments in three stories, plus the octagonal dome added on the fourth floor of the west wing where the King's personal quarters were located.

The King stayed at Vimanmek until 1906 when he moved to the newly completed neo European style Ambhornsathan Mansion. He lived there until the end of his reign.

After the death of King Rama V on October 1910, Vimanmek and other mansions in Dusit Palace were shut down. According to Palace Law, the King's royal consorts, royal children and all courtiers then returned to the Grand Palace. It was not until towards the end of King Rama VI's reign that Vimanmek was restored to be used as the residence of Queen Indrasakdisajee, a royal consort.

When King Rama VI died, the queen moved from Vimanmek to Suan Hong Mansion. Since then, Vimanmek has not been used as the royal residence but has served as the Royal Storehouse.

Her Majesty the Queen discovered this long forgotten beautiful mansion in 1982. To mark Bangkok's bicentennial and in dedication to King Rama V the Great, the Queen asked permission from His Majesty the King to restore the mansion and turn it into a museum. Many historical and artistic treasures of King Rama V and his family were found in good condition are now on permanent exhibition here.

The world's largest golden teakwood palace, Vimanmek Mansion today houses the King's collections of porcelain, as well as silverware and crystal. The Throne Hall, the King's apartments, the banquet room, and the Thai suites are furnished to recall the atmosphere of the period.