Thailand 2005-2006 Home Base and Eldertreks Tour

Phra Thi Nang Wimanmek Rama V Royal Teak Mansion

All of our ET group but Ellen Singer and us were checked out for home or Angkor Wat this morning. We joined Ellen for a day tour with Bee as our guide. What a great day it was! Vimanmek Palace, the former home of King Rama V and built in the early 1900's, is made entirely of golden teak wood and is the largest teak home in the world. Suitably for the home of a King its rooms house priceless antiques and opulent collections. Many gifts from and representations of world leaders throughout the palace illustrate Thailand’s place in World History. Used for storage of royal trappings after the coup overthrowing the absolute monarchy in the 1930, the mansion was rediscovered by Her Majesty the Queen around the time of Bangkok's bicentennial in 1982. She requested the King's permission to restore the mansion and turn it into a museum to commemorate King Rama V and preserve Thai heritage. The western “victorian” influences make the accessible style easy to enjoy, and though we saw a few European tourists, Thai and other Asian groups were predominant. Thai people pay no entrance fees to these major treasures, which allowed us to enjoy our paid tours as subsidies for their benefit.

Hindu Temple

After coffee Bee took us in a Tuk Tuk the Marble Pagoda and to a small Hindu temple for comparison with the many Buddhist wats we have seen. We then we ate at a small local eatery Bee still frequents since she attended college in the area. We learned that the high security and heavy traffic was due to this day when masters and higher degrees were conferred upon students in the Royal compound with The King participating.

Democracy Monument

Bee put us in a Taxi back to the Royal River Hotel where we took a relaxing swim and napped until dinner at the River Bar before seeing Ellen off to the airport and N.J.

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