Vimanmek Mansion, Ratchawithi Road, Dusit, Bangkok

My nearest allowed photo of Vimanmek Mansion (27 October 2006)


The Vimanmek Mansion is a former royal palace. The name Vimanmek, also written Vimarnmek, means "abode in the clouds". Often called Vimanmek Palace or Vimanmek Teak Mansion, this royal residence is located within the Dusit Palace complex, in Dusit, to the northeast of Rattanakosin.

Vimanmek Mansion was originally built as the Munthaturattanaroj Residence in Chuthathuj Rachathan on the island of Ko Sichang, in the Gulf of Thailand. I have read conflicting accounts of it being built by His Majesty King Rama V (King Chulalongkorn) either in 1900 or in 1868 The earlier date seems a bit far-fetched because that's the year King Chulalongkorn ascended to the throne, at the age of 16, but chief minister Chao Praya Si Suriyawongse was the regent for the next four years. In any case, I believe it was built in 1868, and was dismantled in 1900, to be relocated and reassembled in Dusit. The relocation culminated in a grand opening celebration on 27 March, 1901.

Billed as the largest golden teak building in the world, Vimanmek Mansion has 81 rooms, built on an L-shape floor plan, and surrounded by manicured lawns. It was King Chulalongkorn's favorite residence. Apart from his own apartment, which is housed in the octagonal tower and entered through a separate staircase, the rest of Vimanmek's 81 chambers are out-of-bounds to men, and are used by the queen, princesses, concubines and female palace attendants. The king occupied the palace from 1902 until 1906, when Chitrlada Palace was completed.

Getting there

Vimanmek Mansion is located on Ratchawithi Road. There are two entrances, at Ratchawithi Road and U-Thong Nai Road. There are no Skytrains or Metro subways operating within its vicinity, so the best way is to take a taxi. If you care to take the bus, then buses 18, 28, 108, air-conditioned 510 and 515 passed through Ratchawithi Road while bus no. 70 passes through U-Thong Nai Road. Along Si Ayutthaya Road, there's also bus 23 and 72.

Opening Hours
Mon - Sun: 9:30 am - 4:00 pm
Ticket booth closes at 3:15 pm
Tel: +66 2 628 6300-9 Ext 5120-5121
Official Website: www.vimanmek.com

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