If you are in Bangkok for the nightlife be sure to book a hotel in Asoke. It is one of the capital’s most active business districts. It is built up with towering office blocks, bars, nightclubs and high end hotels like the AVANI Atrium Bangkok. Asoke BTS Station will swiftly link you to shopping venues nearby as well as other major stations.
Bangkok is home to several impressive buildings, among them Vimanmek Royal Mansion, which was commissioned by King Rama V in 1900. First, he purchased a vast extent of land to build a garden, ‘The Dusit Garden’ and then the elegant building to stand within it. Vimanmek Mansion was completed in 1901 and its completion was celebrated on the 27th of March. King Rama V then relocated from The Grand Palace, which had been the Royal residence, to reside at the mansion for the next five years. Upon his death in 1910, the mansion was closed. In 1982, to commemorate the Bicentennial Anniversary of Bangkok, Queen Sirikit had the mansion converted into a museum of Thai national heritage, with photographs and personal effects like antique furniture, glassware and porcelain of King Rama V. Many of the rooms are still kept as they were during the time of the king. There are thirty one exhibition rooms in total.
The impressive structure is made almost entirely of golden teak. The architecture shows influences from the West. Much of the building has three floors, with the exception of King Rama V’s living quarters, which stretches to four floors. There are two right-angled wings that each span twenty metres in height and sixty metres in length. There are guided tours of Vimanmek Mansion with a traditional Thai dance feature held daily at 10.30am and 2pm. Some sections are closed to the public and used for state functions.
Catalina Forbes is a travel writer who bases her content on many thrilling escapades experienced across the world.
