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Government House Bangkok
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The House of Gold
Government House Bangkok, the center of state administration, can't fail to catch the eye of a visitor passing Phisanulok Road on the way to the Royal Plaza and Dusit Garden.
The majestic palace-like structure is a harmonious blend of Venetian Gothic architecture and Thai design on grounds spread over 11 acres. A golden dome housing a statue of Brahma sits atop the roof.
The pillars in the façade of the main building bear a close resemblance to the gilded columns of Ca'd'Oro Palace (Palazzo Ca'd'Oro or House of Gold) built in Venice in the early 15th century by the Grand Canal.
Early 19th century visitors to Bangkok have called the city, "Venice of the East." They couldn't have foreseen then that by the 1920s, the similarities went beyond the canals.
In 1923, King Rama VI commissioned Annibale Rigotti, one of the Italian architects responsible for the Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall to design the building. Originally known as Ban Norasingh, the building was meant as the family residence of Chao Phraya Ram Raghop, a favorite general.
The family residence was sold to the government under Field Marshall Phibun Songkhram in 1941 and became the office of the Prime Minister and the reception hall for foreign guests. The move was made to preempt the Japanese government from acquiring the building for their embassy.
Another Italian, this time Corrado Feroci the famous sculptor and artist, renowned for his monuments in Bangkok, completed the decorations and renovations from 1942 – 1946.
Under the premierships of Field Marshall Phibun Songkhram and later Field Marshall Sarit Thanarat in 1957, additional buildings were added to the grounds of Government House.
The main building was officially designated as Government House in 1963.
It now houses the offices of the Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers, conference rooms and state function rooms.
Royal guests……Kings and Queens, Presidents and Prime Ministers have graced the grand halls within. For the rest of us, we'll just have to be content with admiring this architectural masterpiece from beyond the walls.
Located at the junction of Phisanulok and Nakhon Pathom Roads just south of Dusit Garden, the building housing the seat of government is an attractive landmark in the area, brilliantly lit up at night to highlight the sheer grandeur of the Italian masters.
To get there, please see map to Government House and for the other works of the Italian Architects in Bangkok.
