M.R. Kukrit’s House was the home of former Prime Minister of Thailand MR Kukrit Pramoj. As well as being Thailand’s 13th Prime Minister he also set up Thailand’s first political party.
He is considered to be a very important person from Thailand’s history and was also well known as a writer, a columnist and a lecturer at many universities. Click here to find a great hotel in Bangkok.
Step back in time and see what life was like in old Bangkok. This house is right next to shiny, new and modern Bangkok.
At the age of 15 M.R. Kukrit went to England to study and graduated from Oxford with an honors degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE).
M.R. Kukrit’s home is on a two-acre piece of land and is made up of many structures. The main living area is actually five separate one-room teak houses built on elevated poles, which is how typical Thai houses are built. There is an open veranda connecting the rooms.
There is also a large hall that was used for public functions that is separated from the main living quarters by the fish pond and gardens.
All the buildings are traditional Thai houses that were bought and transported from Thailand’s central plain area, with some being over 100 years old.
The first of the houses was bought in 1960 and it took the owner over 20 years to complete all the buildings. It’s a fascinating insight into how important people lived in the past.
The five main buildings were used for different functions. The largest house was used as an official reception room, with the smaller house next to it being a private sitting room. There is also a bedroom. a book room (library) and a family shrine.
It is important to note that this is not a museum, where exhibits are set up, but an actually family home that people lived in.
The only odd feature of the house is a modern lift which the owner had installed when he became too frail to use the stairs.
There are many interesting objects on display around the buildings, and these were all owned by the family.
The area around the home also has some very modern buildings and gives a good contrast of old and modern Bangkok. In the image below you can see The Met building towering over the old house.
M.R. Kukrit’s House Essential Information
Address: 19 Soi Prapinit (also called Soi Narathiwat 7), South Sathorn Road, Bangkok
Telephone: 02-287-2937/8
Opening Hours: 10:00-16:00 every day
Entrance Fee: Adults 50 baht ($1.60); Children 20 baht ($0.65)
Nearest BTS: Chong Nonsi
Directions: From Chong Nonsi BTS (skytrain) station take the exit that leads to the BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) and walk down the stairs on the left near the BRT entrance. Keeping walking for about 200 meters and turn left into Soi Narathiwat 7. The house is around 100 meters further ahead on the right. It’s about a 5-minute walk.
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