Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall
Italian Renaissance style palace in Bangkok
The Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, a large impressive building in Dusit district in Bangkok, was built by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) to serve as a reception hall for the Dusit Palace. Construction started in 1906 and the building was finished in 1915, during the reign of King Vajiravudh (Rama VI).
Italian Renaissance style
Built in Italian Renaissance style, the two storey Throne Hall resembles the famous Sistine Chapel in the Vatican City in Italy. It is built from Italian white marble with a large dome in the middle and six smaller surrounding domes.
King Chulalongkorn hired two Italian architects to design the throne hall, Annibale Rigotti and Mario Tamagno. The latter later also designed the Hua Lamphong train station in Bangkok.
Murals inside
The interior is as remarkable as the exterior. The walls and the large central dome are covered with murals telling the history of the currently ruling Chakri dynasty from the first King, King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke the Great (Rama I), who became King in 1782 until King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) who ruled until 1925. The Royal Throne sits under the huge central dome.
Used as Parliament building
During the 1932 Siamese Revolution the Throne Hall was used as a headquarters for the People’s Party. It later served as the Parliament building until 1974.
Now a museum
The Throne Hall that sits at the end of the long, wide Royal Plaza, now serves as a museum and is sometimes used for ceremonial state functions. It is set in very large, well kept grounds with beautiful gardens, through which you can walk to the neighboring Vimanmek Mansion.
Arts of the Kingdom exhibition
The Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall houses the permanent “the Arts of the Kingdom” exhibition, where various kinds of hand made traditional Thai crafts are on display made by people working for the SUPPORT foundation.
The SUPPORT foundation was initiated more than 40 years ago by the Queen of Thailand, Her Majesty Queen Sirikit. It aims to give people in rural areas the skills that provides additional income and also to preserve the Thai traditional handicraft skills and Thai cultural heritage.
A wide range of arts and craft items from silk, cotton, carved wood, gold and silver can be seen here, including several rare and unique masterpieces, like the magnificent Suphannapetra golden junk.
At the end of the exhibition there is a souvenir shop with several hand made items for sale.
Location
Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall is located on Thanon Si Ayutthaya in Dusit district.
The Vimanmek Teak Mansion is located immediately next to the Throne Hall.
How to get to the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall
There is no BTS Sky Train or MRT Subway station in the area.
Taxi or tuk tuk
The easiest way to get there is by metered taxi.
If you’re in the Dusit area close to the Hall, you can also take a tuk tuk.
River boat
The nearest Chao Phraya River Express boat pier is Thewes. You can take an orange, yellow or green line boat to get there. From the pier, it’s about a one kilometer walk to Ananta Samakhom.
Dress code & taking photos
Taking photographs inside the Throne Hall is not allowed.
Appropriate clothing is required, which means long pants and long sleeved shirts for men and long dress and long sleeved shirt for women. Long dresses are available for use at the entrance that can be returned when leaving.
Opening hours
Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall is open every day except Monday from 10 am until 6 pm.
It is closed on a number of Thai public holidays like New Years day, Songkran (April 13-15), King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s birthday (December 5) and the Queen’s birthday (August 12).
As of October 1st 2017, Ananta Samakhom is closed for renovations.
Entrance fee
Admission charged at the ticket booth is (Thai Baht):
If you have a ticket for the Grand Palace that is not older than 7 days, you can use that get in free. It is also valid for the Vimanmek Mansion, next to the Throne Hall.