Government House of Thailand

Luk Luang Road (Thai: ถนนลูกหลวง, pronounced [tʰānǒn lûːk lǔa̯ŋ]) is a short street 1.378 km (0.9 mi) long in downtown Bangkok. It runs through three sub-districts of Dusit District, namely Si Yaek Maha Nak, Suan Chitlada, and Dusit. It is considered one third of the Luang Road series, which includes Luang, Luk Luang, and Lan Luang Roads. These are all short thoroughfares built during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). The street is a canalside road along the northern side of Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem the entire distance. It is parallel to Krung Kasem Road on the southern side. It begins at the Maha Nak Market, the largest wholesale fruit center in Bangkok, then straight to the northwest. Luk Luang Road ends at Thewet Bridge, where it meets Samsen Road. It was built along with the dug of the outer city moat, Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem. When finished, the King Chulalongkorn named it Luk Luang, which means "royal children", because it ran past the residences of high-ranking members of the royal family, all of whom had the status of being the King's children. One of them is Ladawan Palace, which is now Crown Property Bureau (CPB) Head Office. Bordering the street are (most are government offices besides the Crown Property Bureau) Government House and Ministry of Education. Wat Samananam Borihan, formerly and still colloquially known as Wat Yuan Saphan Khao is one of the interesting places along the street. It is a historic Annamese Buddhist temple in Mahāyāna sect. The area where the monastery is situated during the reign of King Nangklao (Rama III) was the residence of Annamese (modern-day Vietnamese) immigrants. Luk Luang Road in the 1970s and 1980s was also used as a venue for Thailand Book Fair. An annual event held between the end of March and the beginning of April by the Ministry of Education, before moving to the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) in the 1990s.

Chamai Maru Chet Bridge (Thai: สะพานชมัยมรุเชฐ, RTGS: Saphan Chamai Maru Chet, pronounced [sā.pʰāːn t͡ɕʰā.māj mā.rúʔ t͡ɕʰêːt]) is a historic bridge in Bangkok located on Phitsanulok Road, Suan Chitlada Sudditrict, Dusit District in the area of Government House near Rajavinit Mathayom School, Nang Loeng Racecourse, Rajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakhon: Nang Loeng Campus and Wat Benchamabophit. At the end of the bridge on Rajavinit Mathayom School side is four-way intersection that is the meeting point of Rama V and Phitsanulok Roads, called Phanitchayakan Intersection (แยกพาณิชยการ). In the year 1901, Princess Valaya Alongkorn was 15 years old and entered the 17th year, compared to her older brothers, who had died, the two are Prince Maha Vajirunhis and Prince Sommatiwongse Varodaya. She then built a bridge to be a charity devoted to both of her older brothers who had died earlier with age 17. When it was completed, King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) gave the official name that "Chamai Maru Chet" means that "older brothers who was a both deity" (Chamai is Khmer word means "both" or "twice", and Maru Chet is two Thai words that mean "deceased brother" or "brother who was a deity"). The opening ceremony was held on January 16, 1902.

Khlong Prem Prachakon (Thai: คลองเปรมประชากร, pronounced [kʰlɔ̄ːŋ prēːm prā.t͡ɕʰāː.kɔ̄ːn]) is a khlong (คลอง; canal) in central Thailand. It's considered to be the first canal dug in the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). It connects between Bangkok and Ayutthaya total distance 50,846 m. (about 50 km.). King Chulalongkorn had initiated to dig the canal in 1869, in order to have a short-cut waterway bridging two parts of Chao Phraya River. Starting from Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem in front of Wat Sommanas Rajavaravihara beside the Government House in present to reach Tambon Ko Yai (now Tambon Bang Krasan) in Bang Pa-in in Ayutthaya. The canal flows through many districts comprising Dusit, Bang Sue, Chatuchak, Lak Si, Don Mueang of Bangkok and Mueang Pathum Thani, Sam Khok of Pathum Thani, as far as ending in Bang Pa-In in Ayutthaya. The canal helped shorten the travelling distance between Rattanakosin (Bangkok) and Ayutthaya to a great extent. Besides, the formerly rough and forested area full of fierce wild elephants frightening the farmers and people to settle. There was then widely open for development and farming. The digging was completed in 1872, as the objectives of digging this canal were to honour King Chulalongkorn and to provide the people with another convenient waterway, the canal was thus named "Khlong Prem Prachakon", which literally means "the canal of citizens joyfulness". Once completed, His Majesty the King gave the official name and graciously have a celebration. It's considered a canal that is dug up without any fees or taxes for the excavation of the canal for the benefit of the public.Moreover, the name of Lak Si is derived from the milestone along the canal in the past. There are periodic milestones and their numbering sequence has become the places name of its present location.

Makkhawan Rangsan Bridge (Thai: สะพานมัฆวานรังสรรค์, RTGS: Saphan Makkhawan Rangsan, pronounced [sā.pʰāːn mák.kʰā.wāːn rāŋ.sǎn]; usually shortened to "Makkhawan Bridge") is an historic bridge of inner Bangkok. The bridge spans Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem (Phadung Krung Kasem canal) on Ratchadamnoen avenue (section outer Ratchadamnoen) on the border of Bang Khun Phrom sub-district, Phra Nakhon district and Wat Sommanat sub-district, Pom Prap Sattru Phai district with Dusit sub-district, Dusit district. It is near to the offices of the United Nations in Thailand, Rajadamnern Boxing Stadium, Wat Sommanas Rajavaravihara, Wat Makutkasattriyaram and Government House. It also serves as a four-way intersection of Ratchadamnoen, Krung Kasem and Luk Luang roads. The bridge is one of five built across Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). It was designed by Italian architect Carlo Allegri using the patterns of Italian and Spanish architecture. The prototype was from Pont Alexandre III of Paris. Construction took a total of three years. The bridge has a beautiful Erawan (Airavata) steel frame and four marble lampposts and is considered is one of the most beautiful bridges in Bangkok. It was inaugurated in 1903 by His Majesty King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). All five extant bridges built to cross the Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem were constructed during the same period. They each have rhyming names, that mean "bridge built by the deities". The term "Makkhawan Rangsan" translates as "the bridge that Makkhawan (Indra) was the creator". King Chulalongkorn originally intended to name it "Makkhawan Rangrak" (มัฆวานรังรักษ์). In 1994, two more bridges were added to increase the traffic lanes under a royal project of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX).During the political unrest between 2010 and 2014 the bridge was used as a venue for several political demonstrations as were other landmarks on Ratchadamnoen avenue, such as Democracy Monument, Phan Fa Lilat Bridge and Khok Wua Intersection.

Wat Sommanat Ratchaworawihan (Thai: วัดโสมนัสราชวรวิหาร) or known in short Wat Sommanat Wihan and Wat Sommanat is a second classed royal Thai Buddhist monastery was built in 1853 by the order of King Mongkut (Rama IV) as a dedication and memorial to the Queen Consort Somanass Waddhanawathy, his first wife, who died at the age of 17. The temple is located rim canal Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem in the area of Nang Loeng, Pom Prap Sattru Phai District, Bangkok, and considered the closest temple to the Government House. In addition to being built to commemorate his first wife, the King also built this temple like the one that used to exist in Ayutthaya, a former capital of Thailand. The ordination hall of the temple is surrounded by two layers of traditional boundary wall. Therefore, this temple has an accurate and complete layout according to principles of Buddhism. The door and window frames are decorted with gilded stucco and stained glasses design with the pattern of confederate rose flowers. The gables are also stucco decorated with glazed tiles, having the royal insignia of King Mongkut and his wife in the middle. Inside the ordination hall, the principal Buddha image named Phra Buddha Siri cast and brought from Wat Rachathiwat in the quarter of Samsen in 1856 (year the temple was completed) by Somdet Phra Wannarat (Buddha Siri, pioneer of the Thammayut sect) is enshrined. In addition, in the same agenda, a total of 40 monks were transferred from Wat Rachathiwat to the temple along with Somdet Phra Wannarat was also appointed from the King as the first abbot. At the centre area of the temple, there is a huge striking golden stūpa with the Lord Buddha's relics contained inside, in addition, there is also a white Lanka-styled stūpa not far from each other. Which the aforementioned stūpa, there are only two in Thailand (another one located at Wat Kanmatuyaram in Chinatown). Bell and drum tower are round towers with Chinese-styled roof. According to the temple has two layers of boundary wall, therefore the monks can do religious rites in both ordination hall and sanctuary without interference from outsiders. Wat Sommanat Wihan is also considered an official crematorium of the Royal Thai Army (RTA).

Thewakam Rangrak Bridge (Thai: สะพานเทวกรรมรังรักษ์, RTGS: Saphan Thewakam Rangrak, pronounced [sā.pʰāːn tʰēː.wā.kām rāŋ.rák]; usually shortened to "Thewakam Bridge") is a historic bridge of Bangkok located in the border of Wat Sommanat sub-district, Pom Prap Sattru Phai district and Si Yaek Maha Nak with Suan Chitlada sub-districts, Dusit district. The bridge crossing over Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem (Phadung Krung Kasem canal) at Nakhon Sawan road (named in honour of Prince Paribatra Sukhumbandhu, Prince of Nakhon Sawan). King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) ordered the Department of Public Works to build in 1899, to link Thanon Talat (ถนนตลาด) with Thanon Plai Talat (ถนนปลายตลาด), which is Nakhon Sawan road in the present day. King Chulalongkorn had presided over the bridge's opening ceremony on November 15, 1900. The bridge was later on renovated to be a concrete bridge. And in 1975, it was rebuilt again and enlarged the traffic surface like today condition. This bridge is one of the set of five bridges crossing over Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem, all having the name in the meaning of "Created by Deity". For Thewakam Rangrak meaning "The Bridge Created by Thewakam" [Thewakam is a deity according to the faith of Thais, similar to Ganesh of Hinduism].It's located close to the historic marketplace, Talat Nang Loeng and Royal Dusit Golf Club, also considered close to the side of the Government House. So it's another point that is often used as a venue for political demonstrations as well.

Talat Nang Loeng or Talad Nang Loeng (Thai: ตลาดนางเลิ้ง, pronounced [tā.làːt nāːŋ lɤ́ːŋ]; lit: Nang Loeng market; also known as "Nang Loeng") is a market and historic neighbourhood in Bangkok. Located in Wat Sommanat sub-district, Pom Prap Sattru Phai district. Talat Nang Loeng was built in the reign of King Rama V. His Majesty the King officially opened on March 29, 1900 as the first land market of Thailand. The name Nang Loeng comes from I Loeng (อีเลิ้ง, [ʔīː lɤ́ːŋ]), its one type of jar of the Mon people, this has been boat trading in the past around this area (Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem). Until the era of Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram was Prime Minister, so it was changed to Nang Loeng to this day. Today, around the Talat Nang Loeng is full of old shophouses built with beautiful colonial architecture. And in the market is also a traditional community, which have lived since the market launch. Notable for its food especially Thai desserts. And there's also old cinema (Sala Chaloem Thani; ศาลาเฉลิมธานี), the current closed down in 1993, which has now become a warehouse.

Wat Benchamabophit Dusitvanaram (Thai: วัดเบญจมบพิตรดุสิตวนาราม; pronunciation ) is a Buddhist temple (wat) in the Dusit District of Bangkok, Thailand. Also known as the marble temple, it is one of Bangkok's best-known temples and a major tourist attraction. It typifies Bangkok's ornate style of high gables, stepped-out roofs and elaborate finials.

Wat Sommanat (Thai: วัดโสมนัส, pronounced [wát sǒːm.mā.nát]) is a khwaeng (sub-district) in Pom Prap Sattru Phai District, Bangkok.

Pom Prap Sattru Phai (Thai: ป้อมปราบศัตรูพ่าย, pronounced [pɔ̂m pràːp sàt.trūː pʰâːj], or popularly just called Pom Prap, pronounced [pɔ̂m pràːp]) is one of the 50 districts (khet) of Bangkok, Thailand. Neighbouring districts are (from north clockwise) Dusit, Pathum Wan, Bang Rak, Samphanthawong, and Phra Nakhon. With more than 24,000 inhabitants per square kilometre (more than 62,000 per square mile) it is the district with the highest population density in Thailand.

King Rama IX Memorial Park is a public park currently under construction in the Dusit district of Bangkok, Thailand. The project was initiated by King Vajiralongkorn (Rama X) to commemorate his father King Bhumibol Adulyadej and mother Queen Sirikit. The park occupies the former grounds of the Nang Loeng Racecourse, the land of which is owned by the Crown Property Bureau, and construction is expected to last until 2024. The park has as its central feature a large bronze statue of King Bhumibol, which was unveiled by Vajiralongkorn on 13 October 2022, the sixth anniversary of the late king's death.

The Royal Turf Club of Thailand under Royal Patronage (Thai: ราชตฤณมัยสมาคมแห่งประเทศไทย ในพระบรมราชูปถัมภ์) is a sports club in Thailand, formerly located at its historic horse racing venue in Bangkok, which was commonly known as the Nang Loeng Racecourse (สนามม้านางเลิ้ง). It was founded in 1916 by a group of aristocrats as an alternative to the Royal Bangkok Sports Club, and became highly popular during the first half of the twentieth century. Horse racing in Thailand declined in popularity towards the end of the twentieth century, and the Royal Turf Club likewise saw large falls in spectator numbers. Nevertheless, it continued to hold races every other Sunday, until its land lease was terminated by the Crown Property Bureau in 2018 and the site redeveloped into King Rama IX Memorial Park. The club was long known as a site of business and political networking among the elite, especially senior military figures.