On January 31, 2009, a warm Saturday morning, around 270 guests joined the Soroptimist International Club of Dust on their fundraiser 2009 ‘Royal Residences of Dusit’.

For more than 20 years, SI Dusit has been organizing these in the meantime well-known and highly anticipated tours on a biannual basis. Were the objects of interest in the past years stunning houses – in contemporary or Thai style – SI Dusit managed this year to gain rare access to two palaces that date back to the Dusit era.

The name ‘Dusit’ refers to the Tusita Heaven of Buddhist cosmology, the heaven where future Buddhas are born. The Dusit District began during the reign of Rama V (reigned 1868 – 1910).

 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chulalongkorn)

He intended to develop areas in the ‘suburbs’ outside the Grand Palace and Rattanakosin Island which were becoming overcrowded. Many of the chao chom or minor wives of Rama V, were given plots of land on which to build their houses and grow orchards.

  

Thamnak Thip’s architectural design blends Tudor and colonial styles and was designed by British architect Edward Healy. Featuring quaint green-shuttered dormer windows, it is somewhat reminiscent of an English country home.

This 10 rai plot was given to Chao Chom Manda Chum, the 33^rd wife/consort of King Rama V, yet the house was only built in 1932 by Princess Athorn who inherited the land from her mother. Thamnak Thip remains the home of the Krairiksh family, a name bestowed by Rama VI. This is the only royal residence that has been continually occupied for 74 years.

In addition, Rama V gave large plots of land to a number of his sons after they graduated from their studies, to further alleviate further overcrowding. On such estate was given to HRH Celestial Prince Yugala Ticomporn which he named ‘Wang Ladawan’. It was one home of his 41^st son HRH Prince Yugala Dighambara, the Prince of Lopburi and founder of the Yugala family. Built in 1906, it is a beautiful example of Italian and Victorian architecture. It now houses the Crown Property Bureau.

   

Although early in the morning, the guests arrived at the Siam City Hotel in good mood and of course curious of what there's to see this time.

  

Thanks to the experienced SI Dusit-organization team, who have over the years perfected the method of bus transfers and training of the escorts, the eight buses left on time with 10-minute intervals to their destinations.

   

Here, the participants where welcomed by the house guides who were prepared to inform the individual groups about the history of the former royal residences.

     

A special surprise waited for the guests on the lawns of Wang Ladawan. Accompanied by lovely Thai music, the guests could rest and enjoy cold drinks and snacks. 

  

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the Soroptimist Bangkok Club, the Museums Volunteers, our many dear friends and supporters who donated their time to prepare and help us to make this event a success.

And last but not least: a big THANK YOU to Mom Betty Yugala who made these visits possible.  Mom Bongkojpriya Yugala, the wife of HSH Prince (Mom Chao) Mongkolchaleam Yugala, one of the senior descendents of King Rama V, was the driving force behind this unique opportunity to view the interiors of these royal residences. 

”I’m especially happy to be doing Wang Ladawan since it was the home of my husband's grandfather. My husband, M.C. Mongkolchaleam, was the only Yugala born at Wang Ladawan,” she tells us.

 Mom Betty with Khun Kemtat, Director of Refurbishing Antique Properties at the Crown Property Bureau.

 

All proceeds or this tour go directly to our scholarship program which since its start in 1995 has supported more than 1490 girls.

Dear Guests and Friends of the SI Dusit Home & Garden Tours;
thank you for your participation and donations!

Not to forget our generous sponsors, your support is always highly appreciated: List of Sponsors.

... and of course our generous hosts Khun Sakthip and M.R. Benjapa Krairiksh and the The Crown Property Bureau for opening their wondrul residences.

To see these photos and many more in bigger version please go to
'Photo Gallery'. There you will also find a 'slide show' feature  (album actions).