Take in the languid lifestyle of times past on a visit to the Royal Teak Mansion.

Tour ID	TBKK0081
Destination:	Bangkok, Thailand
Activity:	Arts & Culture
Price:	start from $26 per person
Duration:	Half Day

Tour Rates* (Price/Person) in U.S. Dollars
Period	Single	Double	Triple	Group 4-6	Single Supplement
Morning Program (Start time: 8:00 am)
1 Nov 2009 – 31 Oct 2010	45	25	15	N/A	N/A
Afternoon Program (Start time: 1:00 pm)
1 Nov 2009 – 31 Oct 2010	45	25	15	N/A	N/A

Rates include 7% VAT tax and 10% hotel service charge. Major credit cards accepted. No extra charge, no minimum

Note: Booking should be made at least 7 days in advance. The Triple rates are based on a twin sharing room with an extra bed for the third person.

Itinerary

Drive to visit the Vimanmek Palace, the world’s largest golden teakwood Mansion, built in 1900 by the Royal Command of King Rama V as a Summer Palace. The mansion has not been used as a Royal Residence but only as a storage place for the Royal household for the past 50 years. It was renovated in 1982 on the auspicious occasion of the bicentennial anniversary of Bangkok. Now it houses a Museum to commemorate the Honor of King Rama V. by displaying his photographs, arts and handicrafts and as a showcase for Thai National Heritage for future generations.

Price Includes:

• Private round trip transfers from the hotel to Vimanmek Palace
• Entrance fee at Vimanmek Palace

Price Excludes:

• Personal expenses
• Other services not mentioned in the program

About the Package

Home for a King

Thailand’s King Rama V was an extraordinary monarch. Educated in Europe, he managed the delicate balancing act of fending off attempts at colonization while still embracing many important elements of modern western culture. Nowhere is this meeting of East and West more beautifully expressed than in The Vimanmek Royal Teak Mansion – the world’s largest teak house – that was once King Rama V’s residence.

East-West Designs

Architectural influences from Europe and Asia blend seamlessly to form a breathtaking structure. The huge L-shaped palace, located in the Dusit Palace grounds occupied by the present King, is constructed entirely of golden teak, housing 81 rooms leading off sweeping staircases and long corridors.

Art Treasures

The palace contains beautifully restored apartments, display rooms and religious chambers. All are filled with antique and art treasures collected from all over the world – many of them the personal effects of Rama V. It would take months to pore over it all, though the knowledgeable and entertaining tour guides give a superb overview of the museum and its contents.

And, unlike many museums, there is no atmosphere of sterility here.The mansion retains the feeling of serenity inherent in its design, providing a keen insight into how Thailand’s much venerated monarch lived in a more languid era.

Elegant Scenery

The palace is set in a lovely landscaped garden with an artificial lake where visitors may roam freely. There are several other museums on the grounds featuring ancient silks, photographs, antique clocks, portraits and royal carriages. There are also two shows each day of traditional Thai dancing.