Bank of Thailand Museum

A curious historical discovery awaits

by Luc Citrinot

One of the most intriguing royal structures in Bangkok is mansions of the Bank of Thailand. The grand villas in Bang Lamphu District face the Chao Phraya River.

King Rama V built the Bang Khun Phrom Palace to serve as a residence of Prince Paribatra Sukhumband.

The structure has a unique blend of multiple European styles. Tamnak Yai, designed in 1906 by Italian Mario Tamagno, is reminiscence that of baroque, rococo and classical European styles with its large windows underlined by elegant stuccos. Tamnak Yai offers an extravagant interior with its stucco ceilings, velvet curtains, frescos painted by Carlo Rigoli. The main showpiece of the palace is a grand staircase reminding one of the palaces in Austria or South Germany with its marbled stairs. Tamnak Somdej is a mansion in a completely different style, a masterpiece of a German architect, Karl Döhring. He was famous for Jugendstil style in Germany between 1890 and 1910.

The residence has a vast symmetrical façade. Prince Paribatra offered the palace to his mother, Queen Sukhumala Marasri, in 1913 as her residence. The third palace was a commemoration on the occasion of the marriage of Prince Paribatra and Princess Prasongsom Chaiyant in 1903. It was later dismantled and rebuilt inside Vimanmek Mansion complex.

Devavesm Palace, built by a British Architech, Edward Healey, served as the residence of King Rama V’s younger brother, Prince Devawongvarophakarn.

It features neoclassical façade with magnificent Greek columns and is not always open to the public. Since 1945, Khun Phrom Palace hosts the headquarters of the Bank of Thailand.

The museum was inaugurated in 1993 by the late King Rama IX. Visitors will find ancient Chinese coins, Siam first currencies made of seashells or ‘Bia,' currencies used in the Dvaravati and Srivijaya kingdoms and first modern coins and notes. There are rooms dedicated to Prince Paribatra Sukhumband, including apartments and musical activities.

Bank of Thailand Museum

273 Samsen Rd (next to King Rama VIII Bridge)

Tel: 02 283 5286, 02 283 6152, 02 283 6723

Email: museum@bot.or.th

Open: Tue-Sun 10am-4pm, closes on Monday and public holidays