Thailand - Bangkok etc 6
Photo Gallery of Bangkok in Thailand, etc 6.
This part shows the area of "Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall" (the old parliament building) which is a part of Dusit palace, located
at the end of Ratchadamnoen Avenue in Bangkok.In this vast area, there are other famous buildings such as Vimanmek Mansion that is a former royal palace and said to be the world's largest golden teakwood mansion, Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall that is just east of the Vimanmek Mansion across a small canal and used for state occasions and celebrations, and Royal Elephant National Museum.
You can relax and enjoy walking here in the busy and big city of Bangkok.
- Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall
(the old parliament building) - Royal Elephant National Museum
- Vimanmek Mansion
[Bangkok etc 6] Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall |
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| Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall (the old parliament building) which is a part of Dusit palace, located
at the end of Ratchadamnoen Avenue in Bangkok. It is a two-story marble building in Italian Renaissance and Neo Classic style, about 113 meters wide, 50 meters long and 48 meters high. The construction was started in the reign of King Rama V in 1908 and completed in the reign of Rama VI in 1915. This glorious hall was used as the first Thai parliament, however, after the construction of new parliament, it is used for royal and other important state ceremonies. 
It is usually closed, however, only in some special occasions, it's open
to the public. When I was in Bangkok, it was lucky to have a chance to get in. (Actually, I got in twice. :D ) It was wonderfully decorated with beautiful paintings, a model of one of the Royal Barges "Suphannahongse", admirable interiors. I'm afraid photography is prohibited inside. |
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| Appearance 1 | Appearance 2 | ||
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| Appearance 3 The view from outside of the area. |
Appearance 4 The view looking up in front of the building. |
Decoration 1 Decorations of the building. Angels. |
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| Appearance 5 The view looking up from the left side. |
Around the building Very wide and full of lawn. |
Elaborate carvings Angels are carved in the wall. |
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| Appearance 6 The left part. You see how large the building is compared to visitors in the picture. |
Entrance Let's get in to see inside. |
Visitors After the entrance, go to the gate inside.(in May, 2012) |
Waiting for entering A lot of visitors are waiting for entering the hall. Photos are prohibited inside. Cry... |
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| Appearance 7 The upper part of the front. |
Appearance 8 Various part has elaborate carved angels. |
The garden Another direction. Full of lawn, neat and very beautiful. |
Take a break There is a cafe "Doi Tung" near the throne hall outside. Well air-conditioned inside. :D |
[Bangkok etc 6] Royal Elephant National Museum |
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| This Dusit palace area has the Royal Elephant National Museum that was originally the site of the royal elephant stable. You'll see
the museum right when you get in the entrance of this area (see the picture, top of this page, no.11) When we visited there, no visitor besides us, only a manager stayed inside. I don't know why but that's because the museum is not so popular, it just happened at that time, or most people don't know the existence ... ? I'm sure you can relax inside because it's very hot outside but very cool inside the museum with air-conditioners and no one there but you. :D I recommend that you should drop by here like taking a rest when you visit around this area. There are two buildings: the front building has a big elephant's tusks and another has a sacred white elephant that is very important for the royal family of Thailand. |
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| The appearance. Not big buildings. | There is another building in the back. Don't miss it. | The view around the entrance. | A lot of explanations about elephants in the museum. |
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| Four kinds of elephant: Brahma, Visnuisvara, Visnu, Agni. The picture shows the Brahma. | I don't know the relationship but it looks a snake god called Devakarm. | It shows how to call the ears, tusks and so on in Thai. | It shows how to call the decorations on elephants in Thai. |
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| The building in the back has a white elephants that is very important for the royal family in Thailand. | The close-up of the white elephant. Hmmm, I'm wondering if it's really white like this. Her eyes are greenish. | ||
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| Drums and bugles used in royal events. | They are a white monkey and a white crow. It explains that both of them were discovered at the same time. | The white elephant from behind. | Things for praying in front of the white elephant. |
[Bangkok etc 6] Vimanmek Mansion Palace |
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Vimanmek Mansion, said to be the world's largest golden teakwood mansion.This mansion was built in 1900 by the royal command of H.M. King Rama V (1868-1910) for his residence. Later, this mansion was renovated several times in the era of the king Rama VII (1925-1934) and used for a storage of the Bureau of the Royal Household. In 1982, H.M. Queen Sirikit renovated the mansion to use as a museum to commemorate H.M King Rama V, displaying the king's photos, art and handicrafts. 
The Vimanmek Mansion is about 20 meters high, and is a three-story
building, however, the place where H.M King Rama V resided is specially
four-storied and octagon shaped.You will see the inside differently coloured. If my memory is correct, the colours show the different seasons. There are 31 exhibition rooms. I was very sorry but photos were prohibited in the building. The picture above is the front of the mansion. A lot of people visit here. By the way, they provide guides who speak Thai or English, no Japanese, and you can choose it. You will wait for a while and then can go around with a guide and other visitors in a group. |
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| Vimanmek Mansion 1 (Looking from an angle.) |
Vimanmek Mansion 2 (The four-storied and octagon shaped part where H.M King Rama V resided.) |
Vimanmek Mansion 3 (A close-up.) |
Vimanmek Mansion 4 (Security is tight with rifles.） |
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