Bangkok’s tourist attractions are mainly around Rattanakosin and Dusit. Rattanakosin has many of the historical buildings of Bangkok while Dusit displays the modernization efforts of King Rama V.
Vimanmek Palace in Bangkok – Thailand is one such perfect example of the modernization efforts of the King.
Location
The Vimanmek Palace in Bangkok – Thailand is located in the southern section of the District of Dusit.
Getting There
The easiest mode of transportation, apart from driving your own car, to get to Vimanmek Palace in Bangkok – Thailand is via a taxi. Public transport into Dusit is generally via a boat ride and from the pier, you will have to walk for quite a few kilometers to reach the palace complex.
With a taxi, you can easily just ask the driver to take you to the palace complex and stop at the main entry points into the palace.
On the other hand, you can also take a bus from the old city or what is known as Rattanakosin. Bus number 70, both air – conditioned and ordinary can drop you off right at the palace complex.
What to See and Do
Vimanmek Palace in Bangkok – Thailand is the main palace within the Dusit Palace complex. Within the palace grounds is the Vimanmek Museum which is actually comprised of the residential halls of the palace that are open for public visits.
First, there is the Vimanmek Mansion or Palace itself. Here, you will see the various memorabilia of King Rama V collected during his reign.
You can also see the very first indoor bathroom in the country, first typewriter to have Thai characters plus a number of paintings of the country, the first depictions of such on canvass.
Next is the Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall. This is where official banquets were held at the time. The interiors are a combination of Victorian and Islamic styles. There are also the Photographic Museums 1 and 2 which house some of the pictures taken by H.M. King Bhumibol.
There is also the Ancient Clock Museum which is a 2- storey brick structure that houses ancient clocks and watches. The Ancient Cloth and Silk Museum houses traditional fabrics are on display.
Other residential halls that you can view are now the Royal Ceremony Photography Museum, the Royal Carriage Museum, Presentation Hall and Pottery From Shipwrecks Museum; among many others.
Brief History
Vimanmek Palace in Bangkok – Thailand, also known as the Vimanmek Mansion is part of the palace complex that King Rama V built as part of his plans of modernizing Thailand.
He was inspired by his visit to Europe and upon his return, he wanted to build something that depicted some of the scenes there that caught his attention: leafy, relaxing lush gardens with wide spaces; surrounding royal residences that are likewise spacious and designed with the utmost comfort and convenience in mind.
The Vimanmek Palace in Bangkok – Thailand itself was built some time in the 1900s. It is actually the result of dismantling the royal residence at Ko Sichang and re – assembling it piece by piece on the site where the palace is now located.
Cost
The cost to visit the Vimanmek Palace in Bangkok – Thailand and its museums is 100 baht per person. The ticket however does not include the Anantasamakhom Throne Hall and the Royal Elephant Museum.
To visit these two other museums also located within the palace complex, you will have to pay an additional 50 baht for each museum, per person.
Other Information
Vimanmek Palace in Bangkok – Thailand is open from 9:30 in the morning up to 4 in the afternoon everyday. Last entry into the Vimanmek Mansion is strictly at 3:15 in the afternoon.
