Vimanmek Teak Mansion, Bangkok

Vimanmek Palace, the world's largest golden teakwood mansion, was constructed by the royal command of King Rama V (1868-1910) upon his return from Europe in 1897. Thus, the interior decor and furnishing of the palace have a very strong European motif.

The building itself was originally his Summer Palace, the Munthaturaltanaroj Residence of the Chuthathujrachathan at Koh Sri Chang, Chonburi. It was dismantled and rebuilt in the Dusit Garden under the supervision of Prince Narissaranuwaddhiwongse. The massive reconstruction project was completed on 27th March 1901.

Since then, the mansion has been renovated several times but subsequently, it fell into disuse and was practically forgotten until in 1982, when Queen Sirikit learnt about it and asked for the permission of King Rama IX to renovate the mansion into a museum that reflects the Thai heritage from the dramatic reign of King Rama V.

The museum is open from 0830-1630 daily (ticketing stops at 1530 though), including weekends and public holidays. The admission rate is 100 baht and proper attiring must be observed. Thus, do refrain from wearing sandals, sleeveless shirts and shorts (bottoms must at least extend to knee). Suitable attires (sarongs, shirts and pants) are available for rental if required.

You will need to join their complimentary guided tour as you are not allowed to wander within the mansion freely. No indoor photography is allowed as well and you will be required to store your photographic equipments into lockers first (20 baht per locker). Before stepping into the mansion, you will also be requested to take off your shoes and store them at the provided racks just before the commencement of the tour.

Overall, the tour was quite enlightening. However, I do find the Ananta Samakorn Throne Hall more interesting even though there's less to see there. I guess I like the majesty of the latter more.

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This is the largest golden teak house. The summer residence of the Royalty.You can have a guided tour and enjoy the 81 rooms with furnitures, royal photograps, porcelains and many Thai alphabet type writers.

Former palace of the Kings father also has the stables of the white elephant’s (Can’t see the Elephants). The palace is quite beautiful and you can go on a tour through the residence. Also shows where a bomb landed on top on the palace in WWII. Went through the roof and landed on the wooden floor but did not go off. Can see the scorch marks on the floorboards. The gardens are also worth seeing as they are immaculate.

If you go to the Grand Palace part of your admission include entry to Vemanek Palace but you will need to get a taxi there. A short drive from the main part of the city.

your entrance coupon to vimanmek mansion is free once you buy the coupon of the grand palance. the teak mansion is a must see tourist spot..the whole mansion is made of teak wood so you have to remove your shoes upon entering. The mansion houses all the memorabilia given to all kings, queens and royal families of Thailand from different countries. There's a guided tour everyday and cultural shows in the afternoon. There's also a souvenir shop at the groundfloor of the museum.

Wiman Mek Mansion including the Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall is located behind the National Assembly. Here, visitors can view such beautiful handicrafts as niellowares, Thai silk with vatious unique designs and Liphao basketry like beautiful trys and handbags studded with jewels in different designs such as green beetles.

The compound is open daily from 08.30 – 16.30 hours and admission fee for each person is 50 Baht. Free guide tour is available.

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It is the summer residence of King Rama V made in Victorian style and built entirely in teak wood without nails!

Quite a nice building and very charming house with plenty of personal objects and pictures inside taht give you a good insight of the life of Rama V.

The tour is worth although you will not see anything utterly Thai it will give you an idea of how modern and progress loving were the royal family at the time.

Tour guides are very nice too! A good sight in my opinion. The surronding gardens are very charming as well and it is a good place to get out of the pollution and the craziness of the city!

Next to the house there are some nice traditional Thai buildings made in Wood.

The entrance is free when you buy the ticket to see the Grand Palace

We came here not knowing what to expect, but we left really happy we came. This was once the home of King Rama V. an English tour is offered once inside the mansion, but you must really concentrate on what there saying, it seems they have there lines memorized and when I asked them questions about various rooms it seemed that I threw them off !!!! I wasn't doing it on purpose, but you came to the White House and wanted to kow why the building was burnt I'm sure they be able to answer the questions for you !!!! That was the only disappointing part of the tour, but I would highly recommed you come here, well worth seeing !!! No pictures inside you must leave everything downstairs in a locker, and your shoes also !!!!!

Vimanmek, meaning 'castle in the clouds', is a beautiful L-shaped house that was once King Chulalongkorn's royal residence.

It is also the world's largest golden teak building. Its open galleries, gingerbread-house fretwork, porticoes, grand stairways and spiraled staircases reflect an European and Victorian architectural influence.

Visitors may join any of the daily tours to view the rich collection of royal artifacts and and King Chulalongkorn's personal items. Visitors will see less than half the 80 rooms in the building, but will get to experience the exquisiteness of the house. The last tour is at about 4pm.