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The Bank of Thailand Museum
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The Bank of Thailand Museum is housed in the Bang Khun Prom Palace, the former residence of HRH Prince Paribatra Sukhumbhand, the 33th son of King Chulalongkorn.
Designed by Italian architect, Mario Tamagno, the palace is another legacy of Italian artistry in Bangkok. Construction of the main building in Bang Khum Prom Palace started in 1901 and was completed in 1906.
Its a majestic palace of 14 rooms overlooking the stretch of the Chao Phraya River spanned by the Rama VIII Bridge.
The second building, the Somdej building,, was built later around 1913 for the prince's mother H.M. Queen Sukhumala Marasri.This time Karl Dohring a German architect, provided the design.
Dohring was also responsible for the Varadis Palace the royal residence of Prince Damrong Rachanupab, a son of King Mongkut (King Rama IV).
In 1945 the Bang Khum Prom Palace became the office of the Bank of Thailand, the central bank, till 1992 when it was restored and converted to a museum. His Majesty King Bhumipol Adulyadej officially opened the Bank of Thailand Museum on 9 January 1993.
Various rooms within the palace display the history of Thai currency and the Bank of Thailand. Of special interest are the coin rooms showing the evolution of currency used in Thailand since the 1st century.
The history of Thai currency dates from the days of barter trade, ancient coins till the currency in modern times. In the early days, beads, seeds, bracelets were used as a medium of exchange. It is interesting to note that old Roman copper coins have been found in excavation sites.
The displays trace the use of Funan coins (1st 7th centuries) to the Sri Vijaya coins (8th 13th centuries).
During the Sukhothai period, (13th 14th centuries) Pot Duang coins in the shape of shells were used.
From the 14th 19th centuries, coins from the Lanna Kingdom in the northern Thailand made their appearance.
During the reign of King Rama IV, when foreign trade and diplomatic relations expanded, the first bank notes were issued in 1853. In 1857, Queen Victoria of Britain presented Thailand with the first minting machine and the minting of Thai coins started in 1858.
Besides the history of the evolution of Thai currency, the Bank of Thailand Museum also preserves the history of the Bank of Thailand, Bang Khun Prom Palace and mementos of the life and works of Prince Paribatra.
In the royal reception room, resplendent with portraits, rich carpets and chandeliers are photographs commemorating the visit by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip in 1996.
In keeping with the banking tradition of Bang Khun Prom Palace and Prince Paribatra, two of his grandsons subsequently became Governors of the Bank of Thailand, MR Chatu Mongol Sonakul and MR Pridiyathorn Devakula. The latter was the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister briefly in 2006/7.
The Bank of Thailand Museum in Bang Khun Prom Palace is one of those Bangkok museums that preserves a special aspect of Thai history. Its a legacy of a millennium of the financial history of Thailand.
On 28 December 2006, Bang Khun Prom Palace celebrated its centenary. Guests for the ceremony dressed in traditional Thai costumes and mingled in an atmosphere with traditional Thai music to relive the days when Prince Paribatra held court.
To find your way there, please see the map to the Bank of Thailand Museum. For other Bangkok Museums.
For the other works of Mario Tamagno, please see Italian Architects in Bangkok.
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