Suan Pakkad Palace is located on Sri Ayutthaya Road in Bangkok, Thailand. It was the first museum in the country and was once the residence of his Royal Highness, Prince Chumbhot of Nagara Svarga. The prince was one of Thailands leading art collectors, turning his residence into what is now known as the Suan Pakkad Palace museum. This is the perfect place to visit if you want to see visions of old Thailand that seem to have vanished along the years as the country has taken on a more westernized aura.
The Museum
The museum is a collection of Southeast Asian historical artifacts. The prince and princess opened their doors to the public in 1952 in the spirit of sharing. They were the first royal family in the country to do so. Their reason for doing this was that, while the artifacts were personal possessions, they believed the artwork and items should be accessible to all. The museum originally had four teak houses, with an additional four being added in 1996. The rare artifacts within the museum can give a better understanding of the history of ancient Southeast Asian civilization.
Historical Artifacts
The four teak houses which encompass the palace and the garden are known as a family heirloom which dates back to the 19th Century. Each house was transported from a different location in Thailand. The first house is filled with different musical instruments while houses two and three have decorative items and furniture. These were items used by the royal family during the time they stayed in the palace. The fourth house, which has a beautiful balcony overlooking the majestic garden, has a collection of different images of Buddha. The other four houses, which were added later, have a collection of ancient art.
