The Suan Pakkad Palace, the private residence of Prince and Princess Chumbhot, was turned into a museum in 1952. Eight traditional Thai houses stand on the premises housing displays of fine art, antiques and furnishings. The Prince and Princess decided to open their home to the public and make these creations, which they believe play a role heritage of mankind, accessible to all.
The name Suan Pakkad translates to ‘cabbage patch’, which refers to what the land was initially used for, before being taken up for the construction of a palace. Today, the eight buildings are surrounded by landscaped gardens complete with tropical plants and tranquil ponds; while beyond the property lie luxury hotels. Bangkok, the Thai capital, is an extraordinary land that surprises and delights. It has many wonders to be experienced: whether it is the culture and history found in temples and palaces or the urban pleasures of shopping malls and upscale properties like Chatrium Hotels & Residences.
Four teak houses take pride of place, at the museum. They were built in the 19th century and first stood in Chiang Mai. True to traditional Thai architecture, the upper stories connect horizontally to each other. The houses were brought to their current location at Suan Pakkad Palace, as they were heirlooms of the family. House number one contains musical instruments of Prince Chumbhot’s father. The second and third houses hold decorative items like ancient drawings, silverware, crockery and furniture used by the royal residents. A throne and gold-stitched umbrella are the highlights of this building. The fourth house features a balcony overlooking the garden. Within you will find a collection of Buddhist images from different historic periods. Houses five to eight were subsequent additions: they contain prehistoric art, a colourful collection of minerals, shells and fossils as well as sculptures, artefacts and an exhibit relating to the Thai masked dance ‘Khon’.
Roland Lefevre is a travel writer who specializes in creating features on leisure as well as business travel destinations across the globe. Google+
