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The Old Bangkok IV: A Visit to Four Heritage Buildings

ก.พ. 26, 2025

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The Old Bangkok IV: A Visit to Four Heritage Buildings

For many first-time visitors to Thailand, the expectation is to encounter elaborately adorned temples and traditional Thai dwellings. Yet, what often comes as a surprise is the country’s—and especially Bangkok’s—rich trove of European-influenced architecture. Western styles began to take root in Siam over a century ago, during a period of modernisation, reflecting not just aesthetic shifts but also deeper stories of cultural exchange and evolving lifestyles among the Siamese people. Today, Bangkok’s Old Town showcases a remarkable fusion of European-inspired buildings alongside traditional Thai structures. But the city’s architectural landscape extends far beyond grand temples and colonial-era residences.

Building on three previous study trips that explored European-style heritage buildings from the reigns of King Rama V and King Rama VI, The Siam Society, led by Dr Navamintr Vitayakul, Council Member and Chairperson of the Lecture Committee, is offering a special one-day excursion to visit some of Bangkok’s most striking European-inspired and traditional Thai buildings, including Baan Moh Palace, Tuek Yao, Manutsayanak Witthayathan Building, and King Vajiravudh Memorial Hall.

When

Saturday, 21 June 2025

Leader

with Dr Navamintr Vitayakul

Council Member and Chairperson of the Lecture Committee of The Siam Society

Booking

See information below

Or contact Khun Thun

[email protected]

 

The tentative programme will be as follows:

Saturday, 21 June 2025
– Meet at The Siam Society, 131 Asoke Montri Road, Sukhumvit 21, Bangkok.
08:30 Depart The Siam Society to Baan Moh Palace. Moh is a Thai word for a large pot, hence, the area was called Baan Moh, or ‘pot village’. The palace was built in traditional Thai style, raised well above the ground with a wooden frame and unglazed clay tiled roof. Prince Phithakthewet, the 22nd son of King Rama II (1809 – 1824), built Baan Moh Palace in the area.
– Visit Tuek Yao (Long Building) in Suankularb Wittayalai School, a Neoclassic architecture which stretches along the Tri Phet Road, originally a school building of Suan Kularb College. It is a two-storey, 11.35 metres wide by 198.35 metres long. The walls are fitted with arched windows on the roadside and arcades on the inner side. The entrance is a Palladian motif with an arched gateway under a gable roof, flanked by rectangular gateways.
Noon: Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Visit Manutsayanak Witthayathan Building (Museum & Library of Abbots of Wat Bowonniwet Vihara), which is notable for its Gothic Revival architecture, blending Western design elements with Thai artistic details. It was constructed during the reign of King Rama V in 1906 as a school building. In 2010, under the initiative of Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, the Supreme Patriarch, it was transformed into a museum and library to honour the abbots of Wat Bowonniwet Vihara.
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 Then visit King Vajiravudh Memorial Hall, a cultural and educational institution located within the National Library of Thailand in Bangkok. Established on 1 January 1981, to commemorate the centenary of King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) by Mom Rajawongse Pin Malakul.
18:00 Arrive at The Siam Society.
   

The Siam Society reserves the right to change the programme as necessary.

 

Important notes:

– The Siam Society may utilise photos taken from study trips, lectures, performances, and other activities as part of its public relations and marketing campaign. These photos, which may sometimes contain image(s) of activity participants, can also be featured on the Society’s website and other online social media channels.

Booking:

Contribution of THB 4,800 (THB 5,300 for non-members) will cover transportation, lunch, gratuities and other costs incurred to make this trip possible. In addition, basic accident insurance is included. Your reservation will be confirmed as soon as the payment has been made. There is a 4% surcharge for credit/debit card payment to cover bank charges. Please pay by cash or cheque payable to “The Siam Society”. Transfer can also be made to The Siam Society travel account at TMBThanachart Bank (ttb), saving account no. 053-2-18000-7 or by scanning the QR code on your right. Once payment has been made, please fax or e-mail the deposit or transfer docket to us.

For further information and bookings, please contact Khun Thun at 02-661-6470-3 ext 205, or [email protected]. The Society’s office is open from 09:00 to 17:00, Tuesday to Saturday.

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