Location: Wittayu Road, Lumpini, Patumwan, Bangkok
Architect(s)/Designer(s): Charles Berger Lang
Occupant: Rangsit Royal lineage
Year established: completed in 1925
Somdet Phrachao Boromawongthoe Gromaphraya Chainatnarenthorn (or Prince Rangsit) was born as a child of King Chulalongkorn and Chao Chom Manda Nueang (common name Nueang Snidvongs). He started his educatin at the Royal School in the Grand Palace. Later, he was sent to Heidellberg-University in Germany where he studied in Education and Philosophy. He was the first university director general in Siam. He was the Chairman of the Committee on Planning and Development of Chulalongkorn University. He also served as the first director of the Public Health Ministry, and the director at Ratchapattayalai School. He married Miss Ellsabeth Scharnberger and the couple had two sons and one daughter: HSH Piyarangsit Rangsit, HSH Sanidh Prayurasakdi Rangsit, and HSH charulaksana Kalyani.
The Vidyu Palace was his place of residence and it is also where he housed and showcased his antique collection. He was the first Thai Royal to collect ancient artifacts. He purchased land on Wittayu road, which at that time was a suburb, to build a palace “in a good atmosphere”. The old royal palace located in Pomprabsatrupai, which King Chulalongkorn had granted him, did not have enough space for his larger ancient objects. So he hired Mister Charles Berger Lang, the Swiss architect, to design new palace in a Swiss-German style for his wife. He designed the interior of the Vidyu palace himself and asked the architect for a thick wall to prevent moisture damage from outside and to maintain a consistent temperature inside. Since he had purchased a backdrop with Thai lacquer work on it called “Lai Rod Nam”; along with his other collectibles of Thai art, sculptures and furniture from Europe, he fitted out his new palace in a unique and attractive style, showcasing a blend of European and South East Asian design.
Vidyu Palace was completed in 1925. He lived there with his family until his death in 1951. After that, HSH Piyarangsit Rangsit and his wife, Princess Vipavadee Rangsit, resided in the palace. Today, Vidyu Palace is the property of their three daughter, who have signed the heritage record that states the ancient collectible objects will be kept in their original location to honor their ancestor, and also that they should open a museum for visitors in the future. Mom Rajawongse Vidyu Palace is a unique royal palace kept in perfect condition. The royal lineage Rachskul Rangsit has continued to house the antiques and interior crowded and busy, Vidyu Palace has been very well-reserved. The owners of this great inheritance see that these belongings as essential. They feel that it is needed for new generations to be educated about the royal family who played various important roles in the country’s history.
Therefore, Vidyu Palace is a virtual treasure centre of Thai culture located in the heart of Bangkok. Preeyanantana Rangsit is now responsible for managing Vidyu Palace.
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