Walking in this ancient building called Phra Thi Nang Vimanmek, you will be simply impressed by its size. That largeness of the building is because of its intricate interior design: halls, ante-rooms and 81 rooms. It is obvious therefore that the building served royalty. It was the residence of King Rama V. Although it ceased to be the royal palace, you will still be able to observe the personal belongings of King Rama V such as artworks and antiques.
Located behind Bangkok’s National Assembly and close to Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort, the Phra Thi Nang Vimanmek is made of golden teak. You will also discover that nails had been used for the construction. The mansion, which looks like an octagon, has three levels. The ground level is a formation of brick and cement, while the upper stories are made of golden teak. The roof is coloured in cream and red according to traditional Thai architectural patterns. As you walk along, you will realise that every room has a unique colour ranging from blue, green to ivory.
It has also earned the nickname Palace of the Clouds, as it originally served the purpose of a summer house. The building was established in 1868 on Si Chang Island before it was shifted to its current location in 1910. The palace was however closed in 1935 and opened again to the general public in 1982 at the Rattanakosin bicentennial. Rattanakosin is a historical island in Bangkok where you can find a number of interesting sights. Covering the sights is easy if you stay at a Bangkok riverside hotel.
A signature sight in Vimanmek Palace is the Royal Carriage museum, which houses 13 royal horse-drawn carriages. These carriages had been used during the period of King Rama V. Importantly, you must not forget to be respectful in your dress code. Vimanmek is not a temple or a religion place, but it is located close to Chitralada Palace which deserves respect from the general public.
The palace is open to the public from 9.30 am to 4 pm. You need to pay a sum of 100 baht for admission. For this admission, you will be entitled to the services of a guide free of charge.
Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.
