Somdet Phrachao Boromawongthoe Gromaphraya Chainatarenthorn’s Palace (Vidyu Palace)

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.

Chinpracha Mansion

Location: 98 Krabi Street, Talad Nua, Amphor Muang, Phuket

Occupant: Mr. Pracha Tanthwanich

Year established: 1903

Phraya Bhitak Chinpracha (Tan Ma Siang) was the seventh son of the Chinese immigrant, Luang Baamrung Chin Prated (Tan Nieaw Ye), who owned tin mines in Phuket and other various trading businesses in Penang. After his father had passed away, he inherited his family business. He set about modernizing his trade with the introduction of machines as opposed to the traditional use f manpower. This was greatly advanced for its time. He was later given the task of being a mining advisor for the Metal Department before dedicating himself to King Rama VI (Phra Mongkut Klao Chaoyuhua), and it was at this time he received his last name “Tanthawanich”. Through generous donations he assisted in establishing a school, where King Rama VI came to the opening ceremony and named it “Tanthawanich Withyakhom” (now known as Stri Phuket School), to honor and remember all doPhunors responsible for the founding of the school.

The Chinpracha Mansion ws built in 1903 by Praya Bhitak Chinpracha in the reign of King Rama V. His intention was to pass it on to his son. This is the first mansion built in a Sino-portuguese architectural style within Phuket or known as Ang Moe Lhaow style. The mansion is a two floor building with a sign of Chinese characters on the porch at the entrance. The entrance door is decorated with designed in order to create maximum ventilation. Almost all the furniture and furnishings are inherited from an ancestral Chinese style. Due to the merchant ships from Penang to Phuket over the flourishing period, most of the materials used for the home furnishings were imported from overseas, such as fences made from Holland or flagstones imported from Italy.

Today, Khun Pracha Tanthawanich, the descendent of Phraya Bhitak Chinpracha, is the inheritor of this luxurious mansion. It is still well-preserved and open to the public as a source of cultural and social studies as an example of what life would have been like in Phuket three-hundred years ago. It also exhibits many interesting antique furnishings such as home appliances, photographs and paintings.

158-162 The Old Row House on Charoen Muang Road

Location: 158-162 Charoen Muang Road, Tumbol Wat Ked, Amphur Muang, Chiang Mai

Occupant: Mister Narong Noenbhunsk

This is the ancient wooden row house situated in Chiang Mai province, one of the few that still remains today. Its most outstanding feature is its balcony and the gorgeous wooden carved stair rails. The property has passed through a few hands to its current owner, Mister Norong Noenbhunsuk, who has been living there for sixty years. In the past the house was a sell and repair bicycle shop under the name “Lioew Shun Lee”.

U Hotel Chiang Mai

Location: 70 Ratchadamnoen Road, Tambol Sri-Poom, Amphur Muang, Chiaang Mai

Occupant: Associate professor Jarunee Maneekul

U Hotel is situated in the center of Chiang Mai city. It was a former residence of the first governor general of Chiang Mai, Phra Nayok Khananukarn (Muang Tiphaya Monthon), who was assigned any important tasks to all royal family and nobleman in the north. For example, he was a guard chief to suppress all kind of rebellions. He also followed the voyage of the Princess Dara Rasmi from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. Besides, he was the renovation group leader for WWat Phra That Sri Chom Thong and Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.

U Hotel Company Limited is now the owner, which has later rented the entire building and land for its hotel affair, approximately 1 Rai ( 1 rai = 1600 sqm) for twenty years. At the beginning, all entire building had been damaged from the use of a former owner in a long period. Thus, the renovation started under the concept of reconstruction the past by preserving and maintaining the unique building. Especially, its roof and gable, which has been decorated with the Tiphaya family symbol; the sun in the triangle frame. The interior of the building has been changed the layout to appropriate the hotel services for tourists. It is divided into two part, front reception and rooms for guests.

Today the building has been operated under the name “U Hotel Chiang Mai”. With its history and value, the hotel guests can enjoy peaceful atmosphere among the Lanna culture in Chiang Mai.

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.

Baan Dinso Boutique Hostel

Location: 113 Trok Sin, Dinso Road, Borvornnivate, Pranaakorn, Bangkok

Occupant: Baan Dinso Hstel Company Limited Partnership

Year established: Constructed in the reign of King Rama V

Baan Dinso Boutique Hostel is located near the old communities of Bangkok. The house is estimated to have been built in the era of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). It was granted to Phraya Wisesongkran (Choi Chantarasonthi) by title deed. It is a two storey house built with a golden teak wood in Colonial style. The front area of the house was slightly elevated to balance the ground level. There is a bedroom, main hall and stairs at the ground level, and four more bedrooms upstairs.

The hostel has passed through many hands to its current owner, Baan Dinso Boutique Hostel Limited Partnership in 2006. Shortly after, a thorough inspection was conducted for the purpose of renovating the house in-keeping with the original architectural characteristics. The original building has been preserved and maintained as much as possible. Used materials in the process of preservation were carefully selected to closely match the original materials.

After the renovation, the ground level has been lowered so that the basement is now entirely below the building. Thebasement area was also entirely reconstructed. It is now used as a kitchen and for laundry. The hostel is open to both Thai and foreign visitors under the name of “Baan Dinso Boutique Hostel”. It aims to preserve and rehabilitate housing in a traditional community as a national heritage, and as part of a co-occupation, together with the well-being of the people in this community.

Chiang Mai Philatelic Museum

Location: 15 Praisani Road, Tambol Changmol , Amphur Muang, ChiangMai

Occupant: CAT Telecom Public Company Limited

Year established: 1910

Chiang Mai Philatelic Museum was a former building of the Monthon Payaap Court before the construction of the first Post and Telegraph Office in Chiang Mai on April 1 st, 1910. Later, the building was extended with the addition of a second storey for more working spaces and public services. It was named “Mae Ping Post Office”.

CAT Telecom Public Company Limited began a restoration project to establish the Chiang Mai Philatelic Museum. It was first opened to the public on November 15^th, 1990. Initially the ground floor had been used as a post office until the restoration was finished. Afterwards the post office was moved to a new building. Chiang Mai Philatelic Museum has been able to continually progress since 1996.

The interior of the museum contains 4 sections; Library Service, Postage Stamp Sales and Collectibles, Postage stamps on display such as Thai and foreign stamps dating back to the reign of King Rama VIII, and the exhibition in which participants are able to develop a greater understanding of the old postal service. Various other forms of dated and original communication tools like Morse Code, 12-volt telegraph key or tables and benches, which were of the museum exhibits five old post boxes from different places. The museum aims to increase both students and enthusiasts’ knowledge and understanding of current and historical postal operations in Thailand. Today it is open to visitors on Tuesday to Sunday from 8.30am to 4.30pm.