Dusit district

{{more citations needed|date=September 2018}} {{Infobox settlement | official_name = Dusit | native_name = ดุสิต | native_name_lang = th | settlement_type = [[List of Districts of Bangkok|Khet]] | image_seal = | image_skyline = Ananta Samakhom Thailand.jpg | image_alt = | image_caption =[[Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall]] in 2017 | image_map = Amphoe 1002.svg | map_caption = Khet location in [[Bangkok]] | pushpin_map = | pushpin_map_caption = | coordinates = {{coord|13|46|37|N|100|31|14|E|type:adm2nd_region:TH|display=inline,title}} | subdivision_type = [[Country]] | subdivision_name = Thailand | subdivision_type1 = [[Provinces of Thailand|Province]] | subdivision_name1 = [[Bangkok]] | subdivision_type2 = Seat | subdivision_name2 = [[Dusit subdistrict, Bangkok|Dusit]] | subdivision_type3 = ''[[Khwaeng]]'' | subdivision_name3 = 5 | established_title = District established | established_date = | leader_title = | leader_name = | area_total_km2 = 10.7 | population_total = 95852<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stat.dopa.go.th/stat/statnew/statTDD/views/showDistrictData.php?rcode=10&statType=1&year=60|title=Population and House Report for Year 2017|publisher=Department of Provincial Administration, Ministry of Internal Affairs|access-date=2018-04-01}} ([http://stat.dopa.go.th/stat/statnew/statTDD/ Search page])</ref> | population_as_of = 2017 | population_density_km2 = 8958.13 | timezone = [[Time in Thailand|ICT]] | utc_offset = +7 | postal_code_type = [[Postal code]] | postal_code = 10300 | geocode = 1002 | website = | footnotes = }} '''Dusit''' ({{langx|th|ดุสิต}}, {{IPA|th|dù(ʔ).sìt|pron}}) is one of the [[Districts of Bangkok|50 districts]] (khet) of [[Bangkok]], [[Thailand]].

The district is the administrative centre of the kingdom, as both the [[National Assembly of Thailand|National Assembly]] and [[Dusit Palace]] are in the district, as are several [[Ministries of Thailand|ministries]]. It is connected to [[Rattanakosin Island]] by [[Ratchadamnoen Avenue]] (literally, 'royal way for travelling').

Neighbouring districts are, clockwise from north, [[Bang Sue district|Bang Sue]], [[Phaya Thai district|Phaya Thai]], [[Ratchathewi district|Ratchathewi]], [[Pathum Wan district|Pathum Wan]], [[Pom Prap Sattru Phai district|Pom Prap Sattru Phai]], [[Phra Nakhon district|Phra Nakhon]], and across the [[Chao Phraya River]], [[Bang Phlat district|Bang Phlat]].

==History== {{stack|[[File:Vimanmek Palace stage.jpg|right|thumb|Vimanmek Mansion]]}}

The district was established by King [[Chulalongkorn]], who wanted to escape the confines of [[Rattanakosin Island]].<ref name=BKK4Visitors>{{cite web |url=https://bangkokforvisitors.com/districts/dusit/ |title=The Dusit District |website=Bangkok For Visitors |last=Holland |first=Michael |access-date=2025-09-28}}</ref> The king began with the construction of a new palace compound called the [[Dusit Palace]] in 1890s, slowly adding many new residences and mansions into its grounds. This included the [[Vimanmek Mansion]] which was constructed in 1900 completely out of [[teak]], and was used as a royal palace for a short time, but was abandoned in 1908. Reconstructed in 1992, it was a major tourist attraction until its closure in 2018. The [[Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall]] was completed in 1906, and became the main residential palace of the king. The pathway connecting the Grand Palace to Dusit Palace eventually became [[Ratchadamnoen Avenue]].

The construction of both Dusit Palace and Ratchadamnoen Avenue allowed and encouraged the expansion of Bangkok outside its city walls and the traditional confines of the Rattanakosin area. The palace expanded Bangkok northwards, while the avenue accommodated further growth. The avenue extended from the palace, starting in front of the [[Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall]] and the [[Royal Plaza (Thailand)|Royal Plaza]] southwards along the Makawan Rangsant and Phanfah Lielas Bridges then westward across the Phanbipob Liela Bridge, then south again long the [[Sanam Luang]] to the Grand Palace.

The [[Chitralada Royal Villa]] was built by King [[Vajiravudh]] (Rama VI), and was a residence of King [[Bhumibol Adulyadej]]. The large park around the palace was used by the king for agricultural research.

In September 2025, there was a road collapse in the Dusit district with a major [[sinkhole]] on Samsen Road between the Samsen Police Station and Vajira Hospital.

==Buildings== Important buildings in the district include [[Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall]], which was another former residence of King Chulalongkorn, and was later used as the first parliament building. It was built 1907–1915 by the Italian architects, [[Annibale Rigotti]] and [[Mario Tamagno]]. Next to the throne hall is the [[Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall]], the official residence of the current monarch King [[Vajiralongkorn]].

Next to the building is [[Suan Amporn Park]], and across the street [[Dusit Zoo]], the first zoo in Thailand (moved to [[Pathum Thani province|Pathum Thani]] since the end of September 2018). The vast space in front of Ananta Samakom Throne Hall is the [[Royal Plaza (Thailand)|Royal Plaza]]. At the middle of the plaza is the [[equestrian statue of King Chulalongkorn]]. Various events are held in Suan Amporn Park and Royal Plaza. Yearly events include [[Graduation|commencements]] of many universities in Bangkok, and the Red Cross Fair which takes place for nine days from the end of March to the first week of April.

Important government buildings such as the [[Government House (Thailand)|Government House]] and [[Phitsanulok Mansion]] are also in Dusit. [[Wasukri Pier]] is the pier to board and store [[royal barge]]s, which sail in [[Thailand's Royal Barge Procession]]. Near the pier is the [[National Library of Thailand]]. Additionally, it is also home to several military camps: 1st Cavalry Regiment, King's Guard; 4th Cavalry Division, King's Guard; 1st Field Artillery Battalion, King's Guard; Air Defense Artillery Division; Department of Army Transportation; Army Ordnance Department; Army Ordnance Learning Center; Command And General Staff College; and some parts of [[Royal Thai Air Force]] (RTAF) such as the Directorate of Aeronautical Engineering. For this reason, Dusit has long been known politically as the "Military Zone".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/thai/thailand-41363763|work=[[BBC]] Thai|date=2017-09-22|language=th|title=19 กันยา 2549: 11 ปี "ทหารแตงโม" "ตำรวจมะเขือเทศ" ยังไม่หมดไทย}}</ref>

Since 1932 the [[National Assembly of Thailand|National Assembly]] has been situated somewhere within the district. From 1932 to 1974 the legislature met at the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall. From 1974 the legislature moved to a purposefully built [[Parliament House of Thailand|Parliament House]] (next to the Dusit Palace complex) and met there until 2018. Then it was moved again to a new building named the [[Sappaya-Sapasathan]] in the [[Kiakkai]] neighbourhood in the north of the district.

Several other palaces have been converted into facilities for other purposes. [[Chan Kasem Palace]] was initially built for the crown prince by King [[Rama V]], but was never used by King [[Rama VI]] and later became the office of the [[Ministry of Education (Thailand)|Ministry of Education]]. [[Suan Sunandha Palace]] was built for the queen, consorts, princes and princesses, but is now home to [[Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University]].

The most famous Buddhist temple of the district is [[Wat Benchamabophit]], built by [[Narisara Nuwattiwong|Prince Naris]] as the royal temple of King Chulalongkorn.

[[File:Map Dusit src eng.svg|200px|thumb|District map]]

==Transport==

===Train=== The [[Bang Sue MRT Station]] of the [[MRT (Bangkok)|MRT]] is a short distance outside Dusit District at its extreme northeast corner, in Bang Sue District.

The [[Yommarat Railway Halt]] of the [[State Railway of Thailand|SRT]] is on the border of Dusit and Ratchathewi Districts.

The [[Sam Sen Railway Station]] of the SRT is on the border of Dusit and Phaya Thai Districts.

===Water taxis=== Dusit District [[Chao Phraya Express Boat]] piers are Thewet Pier, Payap Pier, Irrigation Dept. Pier, Kheaw Khai Ka Pier, and Kiak Kai Pier.

==Administration== The district is divided into five sub-districts (''[[khwaeng]]''): {| ||1.||[[Dusit subdistrict, Bangkok|Dusit]]||ดุสิต|| |- ||2.||[[Wachiraphayaban subdistrict|Wachiraphayaban]]||วชิรพยาบาล|| |- ||3.||[[Suan Chitlada subdistrict|Suan Chitlada]]||สวนจิตรลดา|| |- ||4.||[[Si Yaek Maha Nak]]||สี่แยกมหานาค|| |- ||5.||[[Thanon Nakhon Chai Si subdistrict|Thanon Nakhon Chai Si]] ||ถนนนครไชยศรี|| |}

==Gallery== <gallery> file:King Rama V Equestrian Monument.jpg|Equestrian statue of King Chulalongkorn and Royal Plaza in front of Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall file:Ananta Samakhom Hall - 2017-01-26 (020).jpg|[[Uthong Nai Road]] beside Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall image:Samsen Nai, Phaya Thai, Bangkok 10400, Thailand - panoramio (1).jpg|Sam Sen Railway Station view toward [[Hua Lamphong]] (right is Dusit, left is Phaya Thai) image:สะพานชมัยมรุเชฐ149.jpg|[[Chamai Maruchet Bridge]], crossing [[Khlong Prem Prachakon]] in front of Government House image:วัดเบญ02AKELUK.jpg|Wat Benchamabophit or Marble Temple image:Sanam Sua Pa.jpg|[[Sanam Sua Pa]], beside Royal Plaza, [[Bureau of the Royal Household]] office file:Bangkok 2013 april - panoramio (2).jpg|[[Veterinary hospital]] on [[Rama V Road]] opposite Chitralada Royal Villa image:วังจันทรเกษม196.jpg|Ministry of Education file:Vajira.jpg|[[Vajira Hospital]], public hospital File:Sappaya-Sapasathan 2019-07-25.jpg|[[Sappaya-Sapasathan]] the new national legislative building file:(2022) วัดแก้วฟ้าจุฬามณี เขตดุสิต กรุงเทพมหานคร Wat Kaew Fa Chula Manee,Bangkok (6).jpg|[[Wat Kaew Fah Chulamanee]] the temple by the [[Chao Phraya River]] file:เรือด่วนเจ้าพระยา-ท่าเขียวไข่กา.jpg|[[Chao Phraya Express Boat]] passes through Kheaw Khai Ka Pier, a pier between Irrigation Dept. and Kiak Kai Piers </gallery>

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{Wikivoyage|Bangkok/Dusit}}  *[https://web.archive.org/web/20050321133346/http://www.bma.go.th/dusit/ Dusit District](Thai)

[[Category:Dusit district| ]] [[Category:Districts of Bangkok]]