Phitsanulok Mansion

Phitsanulok Mansion
inside Phitsanulok Mansion
General information
Architectural style	Venetian Gothic
Location	Dusit
Town or city	Bangkok
Country	Thailand
Coordinates	13°45′31″N 100°31′05″E / 13.75849°N 100.51814°E / 13.75849; 100.51814
Completed	1922
Design and construction
Architect	Mario Tamagno

Phitsanulok Mansion (Thai: บ้านพิษณุโลก) or formerly known Banthomsinth House (Thai: บ้านบรรทมสินธุ์ lit: House of the Sleeping Narayana)^[1] is the official residence of the Prime Minister of Thailand, located not far to the east from the government house in Dusit, Bangkok. The mansion was originally built at the behest of King Rama VI was and given to his aide-de-camp, Phraya Aniruth-deva (พระยาอนิรุทธเทวา).

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva with Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa in Phitsanulok Mansion

The high cost of maintenance forced Lord Aniruth-deva to offer the mansion to King Rama VII, which he refused. During the Second World War, the Japanese government wanted to buy the mansion and use it as an embassy. However because the mansion is located in such an important strategic area, the Thai government decided to buy the mansion and use it as a state guest house instead. Later it was decided that it should become an official residence.

Only two prime ministers, Prem Tinsulanonda and Chuan Leekpai,^[1] have taken residence there and both of them resided only for a few days before moving out to other premises. The house is reportedly haunted.

References