Within a vast compound on the banks of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, the Bank of Thailand headquarters stands prominently. It consists of a group of stately, elegant buildings, dating from the early 20th century. Many local people are familiar with the former name of this venue, 'Bang Khunphrom Palace'. In 1899, King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) bought this plot of land for his son, Prince Paribatra Sukhumbhand, also known as Prince Nagara Savara, the royal founder of the Paribatra family. One side of the palace is connected with the Chao Phraya River and the other side with Sam Sen Road. He used his personal funds to buy the plot from several owners. Here is an excerpt from an important document, issued by King Chulalongkorn:
"This letter is to certify that I agree to give this plot of land and the buildings here onto my son, Prince Paribatra Sukhumbhand. The money to buy this plot came from my own personal funds, with no connection with the Government."
It took five to six years to build Bang Khunphrom Palace. Carl Sandreczki, a German architect, and Paolo Remidi, an Italian engineer, made the design of the 'Tamnak Yai', or main building, in November 1901. The responsible structural engineer was Carlo Allegri. After the construction was completed, the building was used as the Prime's royal residence and as the venue for organizing garden parties to welcome foreign dignitaries. It was also used for social functions among members of the royalty. Foreign teachers used this palace to teach various subjects to princesses and ladies of other courts as well. The palace was called in those days 'Bang Khunphrom University'.
The architecture of Bang Khunphrom Palace is in the European style, combining Rococo and Baroque art forms. The Tamnak Yai is a two-story building, and at the end of one of its wings is found a round, three-story tower. The designs also included several magnificent columns that are round, square, and spiral-shaped and decorated with elaborate stucco. The windows, regarded as the most beautiful of that time, are in several forms, such as those in an oval shape, surrounded by stucco designs in the figure of Cattleya orchids, and those in a semicircular shape with figures of creepers and fruits. The windows were constructed on curved walls, so they had to curve, as well. The ceiling is carved in the figure of a gold vine, making it stand out against the white color of the ceiling. The bedroom ceiling, in particular, is carved in a bouquet design. Another magnificent point is the marble staircase in the hall of the lower floor, leading up to the second floor. The iron handrail is beautifully designed. At the foot of the staircase on both sides are female figures holding lanterns. The beauty of Tamnak Yai was known far and wide among the people, as evident in several statements, such as that made by one of the Prince's daughters, Princess Churairat Siriman, who wrote the following statement:
"Initially, father's residence at Bang Khunphrom Palace was similar to the palaces of European royalty. The lower floor consisted of a small living room, a study room, and a dining room for Western guests mainly. There was a private room upstairs for father to have meals with mother. There was also a large bedroom and a dressing room. On the upper floor, there was a large pink living room, next to a small blue room".
Prince Paribatra brought many decorative items and utensils from Europe. Queen Sukhumala Marasri, who was the Prince's mother, prepared some objects for her son, such as ceramic plates, each with a privy seal.
The building facing the Chao Phraya River has a circular, European-style pavilion in front, where a brass band composed of navy and army officials would welcome guests, so it is called the 'brass band pavilion'.
Not far from this area is the 'Tamnak Nam', or Water Building, located on the bank of the Chao Phraya River. Formerly, it was a one-story building, and later another floor was added to accommodate a study room and a bedroom. It was also used as a place for the Prince to embark on board a ship when he performed his duties in the Royal Thai Navy.
While Prince Paribatra lived at Bang Khunphrom Palace, this palace earned itself an excellent reputation as a major venue for organizing receptions. It was famous for its Thai and Western-style cuisine. Many members of the royalty used this venue for their social gatherings. Princess Chongchitthanom, who was expert in cooking, supervised the chefs and the food
preparation herself. The khanom chin (Thai vermicelli) of Bang Khunphrom was a popular specialty. The Prince translated the recipes of Western dishes, so that Thai cooks could learn how to prepare Western food. He also sent some cooks from the Royal Thai Navy to study Western culinary arts. This might be the reason why Thai navy officials have long been famous for catering.
Moreover, Prince Paribatra had a great love and appreciation of music. He could play almost all kinds of Thai musical instruments, as well as the piano. In those days, members of the royalty usually set up their own musical bands for contests with one another. The well-known musical bands at that time included those from Tha Phra Palace, Burapha Palace, Bang Khunphrom Palace, and Ladawan (or Daeng) Palace. The Thai band at Bang Khunphrom Palace, with Chang Wang Thua Phatthayakoson as the conductor, gained wide recognition.
When Thailand changed its administrative system from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional one in 1932, Prince Paribatra moved out of Bang Khunphrom Palace and left Thailand. He took up residence in Java, Indonesia, passing away there in 1944.
The royal quarters of Bang Khunphrom Palace were soon turned into government offices. For instance, it was once the location of the Department of Military Youth, which was later dissolved and replaced by the National Culture Council.
In 1945, the Treasury Department allowed the Bank of Thailand to rent Bang Khunphrom Palace as the central bank headquarters, with a leasing period of eight years, starting from 1 March 1945 to 28 February 1953. In the first four years, the rental fee was 12,000 baht a year. The fee rose to 14,400 baht a year four years later. The tenant was required to pay an electrical guarantee of 200,000 baht, while the Finance Department was the beneficiary.
When the leasing period ended in 1953, the Bank of Thailand continued to rent the building from the Treasury Department until 1959, when Ban Managkhasila was exchanged for Bang Khunphrom Palace, so that this palace could be the permanent location of the central bank. The Bank of Thailand was willing to pay the differential in cash.Today, Bang Khunphrom Palace has been developed as the Bank of Thailand Museum, which is of great value in architecture and art and is of high historical significance. The palace celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2006. The museum is open on Saturdays (except public holidays). Group visitors are welcome between Monday and Friday, but permission must be obtained in advance at the Bank of Thailand, tel. 0-22835286, 0-2283-5265, and 0-2283-6273, or on the website
"This letter is to certify that I agree to give this plot of land and the buildings here onto my son, Prince Paribatra Sukhumbhand. The money to buy this plot came from my own personal funds, with no connection with the Government."
It took five to six years to build Bang Khunphrom Palace. Carl Sandreczki, a German architect, and Paolo Remidi, an Italian engineer, made the design of the 'Tamnak Yai', or main building, in November 1901. The responsible structural engineer was Carlo Allegri. After the construction was completed, the building was used as the Prime's royal residence and as the venue for organizing garden parties to welcome foreign dignitaries. It was also used for social functions among members of the royalty. Foreign teachers used this palace to teach various subjects to princesses and ladies of other courts as well. The palace was called in those days 'Bang Khunphrom University'.
The architecture of Bang Khunphrom Palace is in the European style, combining Rococo and Baroque art forms. The Tamnak Yai is a two-story building, and at the end of one of its wings is found a round, three-story tower. The designs also included several magnificent columns that are round, square, and spiral-shaped and decorated with elaborate stucco. The windows, regarded as the most beautiful of that time, are in several forms, such as those in an oval shape, surrounded by stucco designs in the figure of Cattleya orchids, and those in a semicircular shape with figures of creepers and fruits. The windows were constructed on curved walls, so they had to curve, as well. The ceiling is carved in the figure of a gold vine, making it stand out against the white color of the ceiling. The bedroom ceiling, in particular, is carved in a bouquet design. Another magnificent point is the marble staircase in the hall of the lower floor, leading up to the second floor. The iron handrail is beautifully designed. At the foot of the staircase on both sides are female figures holding lanterns. The beauty of Tamnak Yai was known far and wide among the people, as evident in several statements, such as that made by one of the Prince's daughters, Princess Churairat Siriman, who wrote the following statement:
"Initially, father's residence at Bang Khunphrom Palace was similar to the palaces of European royalty. The lower floor consisted of a small living room, a study room, and a dining room for Western guests mainly. There was a private room upstairs for father to have meals with mother. There was also a large bedroom and a dressing room. On the upper floor, there was a large pink living room, next to a small blue room".
Prince Paribatra brought many decorative items and utensils from Europe. Queen Sukhumala Marasri, who was the Prince's mother, prepared some objects for her son, such as ceramic plates, each with a privy seal.
The building facing the Chao Phraya River has a circular, European-style pavilion in front, where a brass band composed of navy and army officials would welcome guests, so it is called the 'brass band pavilion'.
Not far from this area is the 'Tamnak Nam', or Water Building, located on the bank of the Chao Phraya River. Formerly, it was a one-story building, and later another floor was added to accommodate a study room and a bedroom. It was also used as a place for the Prince to embark on board a ship when he performed his duties in the Royal Thai Navy.
While Prince Paribatra lived at Bang Khunphrom Palace, this palace earned itself an excellent reputation as a major venue for organizing receptions. It was famous for its Thai and Western-style cuisine. Many members of the royalty used this venue for their social gatherings. Princess Chongchitthanom, who was expert in cooking, supervised the chefs and the food
preparation herself. The khanom chin (Thai vermicelli) of Bang Khunphrom was a popular specialty. The Prince translated the recipes of Western dishes, so that Thai cooks could learn how to prepare Western food. He also sent some cooks from the Royal Thai Navy to study Western culinary arts. This might be the reason why Thai navy officials have long been famous for catering.
Moreover, Prince Paribatra had a great love and appreciation of music. He could play almost all kinds of Thai musical instruments, as well as the piano. In those days, members of the royalty usually set up their own musical bands for contests with one another. The well-known musical bands at that time included those from Tha Phra Palace, Burapha Palace, Bang Khunphrom Palace, and Ladawan (or Daeng) Palace. The Thai band at Bang Khunphrom Palace, with Chang Wang Thua Phatthayakoson as the conductor, gained wide recognition.
When Thailand changed its administrative system from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional one in 1932, Prince Paribatra moved out of Bang Khunphrom Palace and left Thailand. He took up residence in Java, Indonesia, passing away there in 1944.
The royal quarters of Bang Khunphrom Palace were soon turned into government offices. For instance, it was once the location of the Department of Military Youth, which was later dissolved and replaced by the National Culture Council.
In 1945, the Treasury Department allowed the Bank of Thailand to rent Bang Khunphrom Palace as the central bank headquarters, with a leasing period of eight years, starting from 1 March 1945 to 28 February 1953. In the first four years, the rental fee was 12,000 baht a year. The fee rose to 14,400 baht a year four years later. The tenant was required to pay an electrical guarantee of 200,000 baht, while the Finance Department was the beneficiary.
When the leasing period ended in 1953, the Bank of Thailand continued to rent the building from the Treasury Department until 1959, when Ban Managkhasila was exchanged for Bang Khunphrom Palace, so that this palace could be the permanent location of the central bank. The Bank of Thailand was willing to pay the differential in cash.Today, Bang Khunphrom Palace has been developed as the Bank of Thailand Museum, which is of great value in architecture and art and is of high historical significance. The palace celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2006. The museum is open on Saturdays (except public holidays). Group visitors are welcome between Monday and Friday, but permission must be obtained in advance at the Bank of Thailand, tel. 0-22835286, 0-2283-5265, and 0-2283-6273, or on the website