# Vimanmek Mansion

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Building in Thailand

Vimanmek Mansion Thai: พระที่นั่งวิมานเมฆ Vimanmek Mansion, built in 1900 by King Chulalongkorn. Location within Thailand General information Architectural style Victorian-Thai Location Thailand Coordinates 13°46′26″N 100°30′46″E / 13.77389°N 100.51278°E / 13.77389; 100.51278 Construction started 1897 Inaugurated 27 March 1901 Renovated 2019 Cost 15 million Siamese baht Technical details Structural system Dusit Palace

The **Vimanmek Mansion** ([Thai](/source/Thai_language): พระที่นั่งวิมานเมฆ, [RTGS](/source/Royal_Thai_General_System_of_Transcription): **phra thi nang wimanmek**) is a former royal villa in [Bangkok](/source/Bangkok), [Thailand](/source/Thailand). It is in the [Dusit Palace](/source/Dusit_Palace) complex in [Dusit District](/source/Dusit_District). As of 2019[\[update\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vimanmek_Mansion&action=edit) it has been dismantled to allow for foundation repairs and will be rebuilt upon its completion.

## History

In 1897 [King Rama V](/source/Chulalongkorn) paid a royal visit to Europe, visiting many royal palaces. Upon his return he appropriated land for the construction of a royal garden which he named "Dusit Garden".[1][2][3]

Vimanmek Palace was constructed in 1900 by having the Munthatu Rattanaroj Residence in [Phra Chuthathut Palace](/source/Phra_Chuthathut_Palace) at [Ko Sichang](/source/Ko_Sichang_District), [Chonburi](/source/Chonburi_Province), dismantled and reassembled in Dusit Garden. It was the first permanent residence in the garden. Nails were used in its construction. The interior decoration combines European [neo-classical](/source/Neoclassical_architecture) style with traditional Thai motifs and architecture and early-20th century modernisation. Vimanmek Mansion is Victorian-style, with Western influences combined with Thai architecture. Golden [teak](/source/Teak) was the primary building material. The mansion is L-shaped, 60 meters by 20 meters. It has three levels and the residence is octagonal and has four levels. The lowest level is made of brick and cement and the upper levels are constructed of golden teak. The color of the roof is cream and red in Thai architectural style and the pattern of the window and ventilators is called *kanom pang khing*. Each room of the mansion has a distinctive color—light blue, green, pink, ivory, or peach—and each room shows belongings of King Rama V and other noblemen.

The 72 room Vimanmek Palace was inaugurated on 27 March 1901. It was used as a royal palace by King Rama V for five years until the completion of [Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall](/source/Amphorn_Sathan_Residential_Hall) in 1906. In 1932, Vimanmek Palace was used only as a storage place by the [Bureau of the Royal Household](/source/Bureau_of_the_Royal_Household).[4]

In 1982 [Queen Sirikit](/source/Sirikit) asked [King Rama IX](/source/Bhumibol_Adulyadej), on the occasion of the Royal Bicentennial Celebrations of Bangkok, to renovate Vimanmek Palace for use as a museum to commemorate King Rama V by displaying his photographs, art works, and handicrafts, and to serve as a showcase of the Thai national heritage. The palace is now a tourist attraction and is the world's largest golden teakwood mansion.[4]

Vimanmek Mansion has been closed to visitors since 21 July 2016.[5] In 2018, based on the satellite image from Google Maps, Vimanmek Mansion was demolished and stored in tents on the grounds of the adjacent parliament.[6]

In July 2019, an official in the [Office of His Majesty's Principal Private Secretary](/source/Bureau_of_the_Royal_Household) clarified that the building had been disassembled to allow for the replacement of its deteriorating wood and metal [pilings](/source/Pilings) with steel pilings and a concrete foundation, and would be "rebuilt exactly as it looked" with the addition of a large fishpond to its north. However, it was also disclosed that it would be permanently closed and not re-opened to the public. According to documents, the cost of the construction works are estimated at 81 million [baht](/source/Thai_baht).[7]

## Architecture

Vimanmek Mansion is one of the best examples of [gingerbread houses](/source/Gingerbread_house_(architecture)) in Thailand that gained popularity during the reign of King Rama V. It is a European and Thai-Contemporary architecture that uses elaborate [fretwork](/source/Fretwork) on windows and air passages to create detailed embellishment.[8][9]

## Gallery

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-PalaceWebSite_1-0)** ["Palace Web Site"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120630213947/http://www.palaces.thai.net/index_vm.htm). 20 May 2012. Archived from [the original](http://www.palaces.thai.net/index_vm.htm) on 30 June 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2005.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** *Royal Gazette*, พระบรมราชโองการ ประกาศพระบรมราชโองการสร้างพระที่นั่งวิมานเมฆ, เล่ม ๒๗, ตอน ๒๔, ๙ มิถุนายน พ.ศ. ๑๙๐๐, หน้า ๓๐๓

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** *Royal Gazette*, การก่อฤกษ์สร้างพระที่นั่งวิมานเมฆ, เล่ม ๑๗, ตอน ๒๔, ๙ มิถุนายน พ.ศ. ๑๙๐๐, หน้า ๓๐๒

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Guideto_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Guideto_4-1) Guide to the Dusit Palace (brochure).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Close visits to perform repairs \[sic\]"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190802170837/http://www.brh.thaigov.net/brh-2011/content/%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%82%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%A1-%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%B7%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%B3%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%8B%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A1%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%8B%E0%B8%A1). *Bureau of the Royal Household*. Archived from [the original](http://www.brh.thaigov.net/brh-2011/content/%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%82%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%A1-%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%B7%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%B3%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%8B%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A1%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%8B%E0%B8%A1) on 2 August 2019. Retrieved 27 July 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Archived copy"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190724135733/http://www.dpt.go.th/eprocurement_v3/special/attach/bn16_Application1(2017-11-7)0001.PDF) (PDF). Archived from [the original](http://www.dpt.go.th/eprocurement_v3/special/attach/bn16_Application1(2017-11-7)0001.PDF) (PDF) on 2019-07-24. Retrieved 2019-07-24.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_archived_copy_as_title))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-KhaoSod_2019_7-0)** Charuvastra, Teeranai (25 July 2019). ["Khaosod English Visits 'Demolished' Vimanmek Palace"](http://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/2019/07/25/khaosod-english-visits-demolished-vimanmek-palace/). *[Khaosod English](/source/Khaosod_English)*. Retrieved 26 July 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Siriwan, Patravadee; Sattahanapat, Rungpassorn (2017). ["The Study of Gingerbread Houses in Thailand Case Study: Bangkok, Vicinity and Phrae"](https://web.archive.org/web/20220705192140/http://www.rdi.rmutsb.ac.th/2011/digipro/isft2017/CA/1.%5BCA001%5D_F.pdf) (PDF). *6th International Symposium on Fusion of Science and Technology*. Archived from [the original](http://www.rdi.rmutsb.ac.th/2011/digipro/isft2017/CA/1.%5BCA001%5D_F.pdf) (PDF) on 5 July 2022. Retrieved 22 February 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Na Thalang, Jeerawat (17 January 2016). ["A crumbling gingerbread house"](https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/special-reports/828504/a-crumbling-gingerbread-house). *Bangkok Post*. Retrieved 22 February 2021.

## Further reading

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Vimanmek Mansion](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Vimanmek_Mansion).

- Lenzi, Iola (2004), *Museums of Southeast Asia*, Singapore: Archipelago Press, p. 200 pages, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [981-4068-96-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/981-4068-96-9)

- *Guide to the Dusit Palace (brochure)*, Bangkok, 2007{{[citation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Citation)}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_location_missing_publisher))

- "Thailand", *National Geographic Traveler*, 2001

v t e Royal residences in Thailand Current Royal palaces Grand Palace Dusit Palace Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall Chitralada Royal Villa Vimanmek Mansion Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall Bang Pa-In Palace Palaces Klai Kangwon Palace Bhubing Palace Thaksin Ratchaniwet Palace Phu Phan Palace Sukhothai Palace Sa Pathum Palace Chakri Bongkot Palace Doi Tung Royal Villa Le Dix Palace Ruen Rudee Palace Former Royal palaces Front Palace Rear Palace Saranrom Palace Phra Nakhon Khiri Palace Phaya Thai Palace Sanam Chandra Palace Phra Chuthathut Palace Phra Ram Ratchaniwet Palaces Dara Phirom Palace Devavesm Palace Windsor Palace Bang Khun Phrom Palace Buraphaphirom Palace Ladawan Palace Paruskavan Palace Varadis Palace Plai Nern Palace Mrigadayavan Palace Suan Pakkad Palace Vidyu Palace Historical Royal Palace of Sukhothai Royal Palace of Ayutthaya King Narai's Palace Thonburi Palace

v t e Museums and art galleries in Bangkok Museums Baan Kudichin Museum Bang Khun Thien Museum Bangkok Folk Museum Bangkok Noi Museum Bank of Thailand Museum Children's Discovery Museum Museum of Counterfeit Goods Golden Jubilee Museum of Agriculture King Prajadhipok Museum King Rama VI Museum Museum of Imagery Technology National Museum Bangkok Plai Nern Palace Prasart Museum Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre Queen Sirikit Gallery Royal Barge National Museum Royal Elephant National Museum Royal Thai Air Force Museum Siriraj Medical Museum Thai Human Imagery Museum Thai Labour Museum Sam Sen Nai Philatelic Museum Science Centre for Education National Science Museum Museum Siam Yaowarat Chinatown Heritage Center National Memorial Art galleries and craft museums Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall (Handicraft) Bangkok Art and Culture Centre Bangkok Doll Museum Bangkok University Gallery Benchamabophit National Museum Gem and Jewelry Museum H Gallery Jamjuree Art Gallery Museum of Buddhist Art Museum of Contemporary Art National Gallery Rare Stone Museum Silpa Bhirasri National Museum Southeast Asian Ceramics Museum Span's Cultural Gallery Suan Dusit Art Gallery Tadu Art Gallery Tang's Gallery Silapakorn University Art Gallery Thai Life Permanent Exhibition Hall Heritage buildings Bangkok Corrections Museum Hall of Railway Heritage Jim Thompson House Kamthieng House Museum M.R. Kukrit's House Suan Pakkad Palace Varadis Palace Vimanmek Mansion

Authority control databases International VIAF National United States Geographic Structurae

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Vimanmek Mansion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vimanmek_Mansion) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vimanmek_Mansion?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.