Vimanmek Teak Mansion, Bangkok

This huge Royal Palace located in the north part of BKK, near the Dusit Zoo, includes several pavillions in traditional Thai architecture and beautiful gardens.
I had the intention to visit it, but whe I finally arrived there (walking from Khao San Road, more than 30 minutes) I was tired and there 4 buses of tourists arriving, so I just took a pic from the gate, turned around, hailed a tuktuk and visited instead the "Lettuce farm Palace" a smaller and (for me) nicest Royal Residence, much more relaxed than this huge complex.

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Vinanmek Mansion

World's Largest Golden Teakwood Mansion. Located in the north part of Bangkok.


Information
Name: Vinanmek Palace
Theme: Architecture, Museum, Garden
Close to: Dusit Zoo, Wat Benchamambovit
Location: Near Dusit
City: Bangkok
Pictures in the web: Palaces in Bangkok
Photos: Take great photos of Thai style houses.
Last Visit: September 2007


My Photos
First Photo: Thai style houses
Second photo: The main Building in Vinanmek Palace
Thirth photo: Vinanmek Palace
Forth photo: Vinanmek Palace and the garden
Fifth photo: Thai style houses in Vinanmek

Vimanmek Teak Mansion was built in 1900 by His Majesty King Rama V by having the Munthatu Rattanaroj Residence in Chuthathuj Rachathan at Ko Sichang, Chonburi, dismantled and reassembled in Dusit Garden. The celebration for the completion of the Vimanmek Mansion was held on March 27, 1901. It was used as a royal palace by King Rama V for five years until the completion of Amphorn Satharn Villa in 1906. In 1932, it was used only as a storage place of the Bureau of the Royal Household.

In 1982 Her Majesty Queen Sirikit asked permission of His Majesty King Rama IX to renovate Vimanmek Mansion 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 Thai national heritage.

Open: 9.30am-4pm. Admission: 100B but is free with Grand Palace ticket.

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Vinanmek Mansion, also known as the Teak Palace was an attempt by the king to build a palace mixing the Thai and European styles. It is a fantastic place. The main palace has around 60 rooms and there are at least a half dozen elaborate guest houses surrounding the mansion. At every 2 PM, Thai cultural shows are being held there.

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Vimanmek Mansion "The Palace in the Clouds" is pieced together from golden teak without a single nail & houses a fine antique collection. The whole compound is huge. Allocate half day for this place. You will be provided a complimentary ticket from Grand Palace. Opens daily 8:30am-4:30pm.

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Yes it's true, Bangkok has the world's largest Teak Mansion. Now I know what you're thinking. #1 "What the hell is Teak?" #2 "Ok, and....?". Here are my answers to you, which I learned while at the Teak Mansion. Teak was a very valuable type of wood for the Thai people, and rich people would build their whole houses with it, now it is illegal to cut down trees in Thailand, so occassionaly wealthy will import Teak to build there house with it. In days of old people in Thailand would build traditional houses using teak and without the assistance of any nail or bolt. So with that background info here are my recommendations for this site:

#1 - Go into this knowing that it's really not terribly interesting unless you love antiques (which decorate the house) or teak. If you are a teak fanatic I may wonder about how this came about, but antiques I can understand, and the house is full of them

#2 - Photography is not allowed. You must lock all you possessions in a locker prior to entering and may not wear shoes.

#3 - You are supposed to go with a guide. Which means you have to learn about every room and chair and candlestick in the place, which can take an hour and prove to be infinately boring. Sometimes you have to wait for 20-30 minutes for a guide who speaks your langauge, forcing you to wait outside in the sun, when all you want to do is move on to another attraction in Bangkok.

#4 - If you are clever enough you can sneak into the house and go on your own. This makes the house exciting because not only are you in the biggest Teak mansion in the world, you have to duck away from guards and security and so forth. In actuality, sneaking off on your own may be your only thrill provided by the mansion! You may get an additional kick out of catching up to a group from Japan or Thailand and be the only 6 foot tall plus white guys in the group. Just act like you belong and hang out and see the looks on their faces. Good times

#5 - In reality, Teak Mansion, for me, did not exactly put the air in my sail. I could have gone without it and instead have seen a different sight. However maybe I will be able to use the "Oh yeah well I've been to the worlds biggest Teakwood Mansion" one day as bragging rights

Vinmamek Royal Mansion.Located on Ratchawithi Road behind the National Assembly, Vimanmek Royal Mansion is the world's largest building made entirely of golden teak. Removed from Ko Sichang in Chonburi province, it was rebuilt in the Dusit Palace in 1900 by the command of King Rama V. It was recently renovated by HM Queen Sirikit, and made into a museum paying homage to the late King.

As well as antique furniture, there's glassware, porcelain, old photographs and memorabilia from the late King's reign (1868 - 1910). Many rooms currently maintain the atmosphere of the past. A guided tour is provided to visitors. Most of the building in the same compound are now used as museums. The outstanding one is Abhisek Dusit Hall, which exhibits HM Queen Sirikit's collection of handicraft masterpieces created by rural people. The other displays of various items and art objects including HM King Bhumibol's photography, paraphernalia of rank and portraits, ancient cloth, clocks, and royal carriages. Parts of Vimanmek are still used for various state
functions and receptions for visiting royalty when the buildings are closed to the public.

Admission to the Vimanmek Mansion museum is 100B, which entitles you to enter every building and gallery. We're not allow to explore the Teak house on our own. There will be a English guide bringing you around... explaining to u all the history and antique that they have.

No shorts or sleeveless shirts and skirts must be at least knee-length or you won't be allowed in.No pic were taken as we're not allow to bring camera or even camera phone in. But I still see some Mat Salleh taking pictures in the garden... I wonder how they smuggled their camera in. Hmmm....

One can easily spend at least half a day in the compound of this musuem. Other than the teak mansion, there are smaller buildings that are turned into museums. Visitors can appreciate the beauty of Thai silk, learn about Banchiang pottery that was from pre-historic period, enjoy the traditional dance (at 10:30 & 14:00 daily), and look at the paintings of King Bumiphol (the present King).

It gets hot in the compound. So, drink plenty of water or wear a hat. I found that the best way to avoid heat is to go into the smaller museum buildings. You can stay cool inside and you can learn a thing or two about Thailand's rich arts and culture.

Vinmanmek Teak Mansion is the star attraction in this compound. It is the largest golden teak building in the world constructed in the 1900's. It was restored in 1982 and opened to the public as a museum. What a privilege to be able to visit this wonderful teak building. Entrance ticket is 100Baht, and includes a compulsory guided tour. Please dress properly as this is a palace. No shorts and no sleeveless shirts. However, sarongs are available on loan for free for those who don't know about the dress code (like myself). Items on display in the teak mansions are precious gifts from royalties from around the world.

However, I kind of curious that why would King Rama V live in a teak building instead of a brick one? That puzzles me.

For 250 Baht, you can visit the Grand Palace, Wat Po and Vimanmek Teak Mansion. Vimanmek Teak Mansion is touted to be the largest teak mansion in the world. It has 3 floors and showcases pictures of kings, pieces of furniture, crystals, valuable gifts from all over the world, copper bathtub (imported from England and the 1st in Thailand!)

Hourly guided tours is mandatory for all visitors and last guided tour, in English, is at 3 pm.

You have to leave all your belongings in a coin-operated locker room (30 Baht). No camera was allowed inside.