Vimanmek Palace is a place special to the hearts of the Thai monarchy. King Rama V built this teak-wood palace over a century ago, to escape from the heat and claustrophobia of his official residence in the Grand Palace. He lived here in the Dusit Gardens until his death in 1910. Now it is a unique museum, housing the King's personal effects, antique furniture and paintings – a rare glimpse into the lives of the Chakri Dynasty. It is also a wonder in itself, the world's largest teak-wood mansion, built without a single nail, and elegantly carved.
But if you make your way here to the palaces of the Dusit Gardens, be aware that you'll be expected to show all due respect. No cameras, no phones, no shorts, no short skirts and definitely no fashionably-ripped jeans. And you will need to take the official guide tour. A long list of restrictions, but then this is very special place. Somewhere to gain a real insight into the reverence with which the Thais hold their royals.
The exterior of Vimanmek Palace is a marvel – all honey-coloured panels and glittering bay windows, almost European-looking (apart from the Thai spires on the roof). Inside the European themed styling continues. The palace is decorated and furnished in the neoclassical style you'd expect to find in a grand châteaux. The reason lies in King Rama's inspiration for the building the Palace – he had just returned from a tour of Europe, where he fell in love with royal residences like Versailles. Vimanmek was his attempt to blend the best of East and West.
Inside you'll find over 30 exhibition rooms, including bedrooms, the throne room and bathrooms (Thailand's first to be built indoors, apparently). Fine antique silverware, beautiful ceramics, Thai carved ivory and 'handle-less swords' are just some of the objects on display. Handle-less swords? Apparently Thais believe that the handle of a sword holds the souls of those slain by its blade. The handles were removed to prevent haunting. Just one example of how, despite its European pretensions, Vimanmek remains a palace for a Thai King.
