Dusit Palace
The Dusit Palace is a complex of palaces and royal residences in the royal district of Dusit. This leafy neighborhood was created during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) and is characterized by broad boulevards and grand government buildings. The Dusit Palace complex was created after King Chulalongkorn made a tour of Europe. Inspired by what he saw over there, he had Dusit designed along European lines. The result is an eclectic but wonderful combination of European architectural style with Thai elements. Within the Dusit district is Wat Benchamabophit, or Marble Temple, and within Dusit Palace itself is the Vimanmek Mansion, the world's largest golden teak building.
Within the boundary of Dusit Palace are the following sights.
Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall
Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall
King Rama V Equestrian Statue
Princess Arun-wadi Residential Hall
Princess Puang Soi Sa-ang Residential Hall
Royal Elephant National Museum
Suan Hong Residential Hall
SUPPORT Museum
Vimanmek Mansion
HRH Princess Puang Soi Sa-ang Residential Hall
Some of the places in Dusit Palace are out-of-bounds to the general public, while some others are accessible only via guided tours. They don't let you wander around unattended here. Photography is also controlled, with booths where you have to deposit your cameras for retrieval afterwards.
Getting there
Dusit Palace is bordered by U-Thong Nai Road, Si Ayutthaya Road, Ratchasima Road and Ratchawithi Road. There are two entrances to the complex, at Ratchawithi Road and U-Thong Nai Road. There are no Skytrains or Metro subways operating within its vicinity, so the best way is to take a taxi. If you care to take the bus, then buses 18, 28, 108, air-conditioned 510 and 515 passed through Ratchawithi Road while bus no. 70 passes through U-Thong Nai Road. Along Si Ayutthaya Road, there's also bus 23 and 72.
Opening Hours
Mon - Sun: 9:30 am - 4:00 pm
Ticket booth closes at 3:15 pm
Tel: +66 2 628 6300-9 Ext 5120-5121
Official Website: www.vimanmek.com
Nearby Sights
Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall
Dusit Zoo (Khao Din)
Dusit Park
Chitrlada Palace
Wat Benchamabophit
Wat Indrawihan
Thewet Flower Market
The Bangkok Budget Accommodation Guide provides a wide selection of budget accommodation for you to choose. Personally, although Khao San Road is most famous among backpackers, I prefer to stay in one of the budget hostels along Soi Kasemsan, off Thanon Rama I, near the National Stadium Skytrain station. The proximity to the Skytrain station helps me move about in Bangkok easily. So that's my preference. If you are looking for a place to stay, go through the full list of Bangkok budget accommodation, and check out their prices and location before you book. Find places that are near the Skytrain or MRT. You don't want to take taxis all the time, and often, the roads are so jammed, you'd rather take the mass transit trains.
The following are some places costing less than US$15.00 per night. At such prices, you can really stretch your dollar.
Silver Gold Garden Hotel, from US$12.62
Bangkok Centre Sukhumvit 25, from US$12.27
Asha Guesthouse, from US$4.52
Amarin Inn Guesthouse, from US$11.22
Miami Hotel, from US$10.52
Thaicozy House, from US$11.57
Sukhumvit On Nut Guesthouse, from US$7.92
The Urban Age, from US$11.22
YHA Bangkok Downtown, from US$7.01
New Empire Hotel, from US$11.22
New Empire Hotel, from US$5.61
13 Coins Airport Grand Resort, from US$12.62
Urban House, from US$14.73
Woodland Inn Hotel, from US$8.13
New World City Hotel, from US$14.02
HI Sukhumvit, from US$8.41
Thong Ta Resort & Spa, from US$8.41
Soi 1 Guesthouse - Backpackers Hostel, from US$9.82
Roof View Place, from US$8.89
Although I do my best do provide you as accurate an information as I have, do be aware that prices may have changed and exchange rates fluctuated since I wrote this. So please personally and carefully screen through the available accommodation before making your booking, to avoid any disappointments.
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Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall (27 October 2006)
© Timothy Tye
Location Map of Dusit Palace in Bangkok
Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall (27 October 2006)
© Timothy Tye
Royal Elephant National Museum (27 October 2006)
© Timothy Tye
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