This is the largest teakwood house in the world. The palace was originally built in Koh Si Chang and dismantled and rebuilt here by King Rama V. From 1901, it served as his residence for five years, replacing the Grand Palace. In 1982, at the behest of Queen Sirikit, the palace became a museum. Don't expect to be able to view the building from the outside; you absolutely need a ticket to enter the area where you can admire it. Entry costs 100 baht per adult, plus 20 to 30 baht for a locker where you must store your belongings (bags, food, mobile phone, camera – photography is prohibited inside the palace). Otherwise, you will be refused entry. After leaving your shoes in the designated room, climbing the stairs, and undergoing a brief pat-down to ensure you are not carrying anything prohibited, you can then explore the palace. The visit is designed as a one-way system, and in most cases, visitors are only allowed to move around in the corridors and stairwells and view the rooms from the inside. The exit is also separate. Such a strictly controlled visit is rather unusual in Thailand. However, lovers of beautiful houses will certainly enjoy it.

Open Monday to Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (ticket sales until 3:15 p.m.). Closed on January 1, April 13–15 (Songkram), May 5 (Coronation Day), August 12 (Queen's Birthday), December 5 (King's Birthday), December 10 (Constitution Day), and December 31. Tel.: 02 628 6300. Website: www.vimanmek.com

To reach Vinmanmek Palace, you can take either the bus or the Chao Phraya Express. Get off at Krung Thon Bridge, walk up the bridge, and follow the path straight ahead. The palace is about a ten-minute walk away on the right.

How to get there

How do I get to Vimanmek Palace (Dusit Palace)? Besides taking the bus, you can also take the Chao Phraya Express. Get off at Krung Thon Bridge, walk up the bridge, and follow the path straight ahead. The palace is about a ten-minute walk away on the right.