The Supreme Court

Locaation: Ratchadamnoen Road, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Pra Nakom Bangkok

Architect (s)/Designer (s): Phra Sarocharattanimmaan (Saroch Sukkayang)

Occupant: Ministry of Justice

Year established: 1939

The complex of the Court of Justice was established in 1939 by Phra Sarocharattanimmaan (Saroch Sukkayang). Before drawing the plans, the government sent him to visit a court in Singapore and bring back architectural information. The opening ceremony of the Court of Justice was held in 1941 by Phra Ong Jao Atit Tiphaya Apa.

The buildings are laid out in a “U” shape divided into three parts. The first part was built in 1939 for the Court of Justice. The second part is the building nearby the “Ku Muang Doem Canel”, and it was completed in 1943. This part is used as the Court of Appeal. The third part is the Supreme Court. It sits on the site of a former Justice Court used in the reign of King Rama V that was demolished in 1959. In 1963, a new building was erected and installed as the Supreme Court. The architecture was influenced by modernism, which was the main architectural trend of that period. The concept of modernist architecture was well-known in the reign of King Rama V by groups of Thai students who studied it in Europe. However, the popularity of this style didn’t become wide spread until after the revolution of 1932. It can now be found on various important public buildings.

This building holds the Justice Court and the independence Memorial. Its modern architectural style was popular in the period of the People’s Party, after the 1932 revolution. The entire construction is a valuable national architectural heritage site and the land it is build on has a long history as a justice court. The building exposes the arts and architectural styles of the old period and represents a good society and political system. Thus, the buildings of the Justice Court and the Supreme Court are worthwhile to be preserved.