Government House of Thailand
Encyclopedia
The Government House in Bangkok
houses the offices of the Prime Minister of Thailand
and his cabinet ministers. It also contains conference rooms and is used for state functions and receptions of foreign guests. It consists of several palace-like structures extending over 11 acres (44,515.5 m²). King Vajiravudh
(Rama VI) commissioned the Italian architect Annibale Rigotti to design the main building in 1923, although construction would remain incomplete as Rigotti returned to Italy after the king's death in 1925. Initially intended as a family residence for one of the king's favorite generals, the building became the Prime Minister's seat in 1941. Prime Minister Plaek Pibulsonggram
then assigned Italian sculptor and artist Corrado Feroci to complete the construction (also working on the building at this point was the architect Ercole Manfredi
). The main building carries a golden dome housing a statue of Phra Phrom (Brahma
) and its façade resembles that of the Ca' d'Oro
Palazzo in Venice
.
During the 2008 Thai political crisis
, anti-government protesters
besieged the Government House. After a court order, they had to move, but then attempted to block the government house once more and succeeded - the cabinet temporarily moved to Don Mueang International Airport.
The protesters besieged Don Mueang International Airport soon after that, giving the cabinet nowhere to work. On 1 December 2008, after protesting for 3 months, the protesters decided to leave the government house as there were constant attacks of bombs, grenades and gunfire.
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
houses the offices of the Prime Minister of Thailand
Prime Minister of Thailand
The Prime Minister of Thailand is the head of government of Thailand. The Prime Minister is also the chairman of the Cabinet of Thailand. The post has existed since the Revolution of 1932, when the country became a constitutional monarchy....
and his cabinet ministers. It also contains conference rooms and is used for state functions and receptions of foreign guests. It consists of several palace-like structures extending over 11 acres (44,515.5 m²). King Vajiravudh
Vajiravudh
Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramentharamaha Vajiravudh Phra Mongkut Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Phra Bat Somdet Phra Ramathibodi Si Sintharamaha Vajiravudh Phra Mongkut Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Rama VI was the sixth monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri, ruling from 1910 until his death...
(Rama VI) commissioned the Italian architect Annibale Rigotti to design the main building in 1923, although construction would remain incomplete as Rigotti returned to Italy after the king's death in 1925. Initially intended as a family residence for one of the king's favorite generals, the building became the Prime Minister's seat in 1941. Prime Minister Plaek Pibulsonggram
Plaek Pibulsonggram
Field Marshal Plaek Pibunsongkhram , often known as Phibun Songkhram or simply Phibun in English, was Prime Minister and virtual military dictator of Thailand from 1938 to 1944 and 1948 to 1957.- Early years :...
then assigned Italian sculptor and artist Corrado Feroci to complete the construction (also working on the building at this point was the architect Ercole Manfredi
Ercole Manfredi
Ercole Pietro Manfredi was an Italian architect who worked and took up residence in early twentieth-century Siam . Born in Turin, Italy, he attended the Albertina Academy of Fine Arts before travelling to Bangkok, where he was one of many Westerners employed by the Siamese government...
). The main building carries a golden dome housing a statue of Phra Phrom (Brahma
Brahma
Brahma is the Hindu god of creation and one of the Trimurti, the others being Vishnu and Shiva. According to the Brahma Purana, he is the father of Mānu, and from Mānu all human beings are descended. In the Ramayana and the...
) and its façade resembles that of the Ca' d'Oro
Ca' d'Oro
Ca' d'Oro is a palace on the Grand Canal in Venice, northern Italy. One of the older palazzi, it has always been known as Ca' d'Oro due to the gilt and polychrome external decorations which once adorned its walls.The Palazzo was built between 1428 and 1430 for the Contarini family, who provided...
Palazzo in Venice
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
.
During the 2008 Thai political crisis
2008 Thai political crisis
Since 2008, there has been an ongoing political crisis in Thailand in form of a conflict between the People's Alliance for Democracy and the People's Power Party governments of Prime Ministers Somchai Wongsawat and Samak Sundaravej, respectively, and later between the Democrat Party government of...
, anti-government protesters
People's Alliance for Democracy
The People's Alliance for Democracy also called the National Liberation Alliance - กลุ่มพันธมิตรกู้ชาติ, Thai Patriots Network or the Yellow Shirts - เสื้อเหลือง - was originally a coalition of protesters against Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Prime Minister of Thailand. Its leaders include...
besieged the Government House. After a court order, they had to move, but then attempted to block the government house once more and succeeded - the cabinet temporarily moved to Don Mueang International Airport.
The protesters besieged Don Mueang International Airport soon after that, giving the cabinet nowhere to work. On 1 December 2008, after protesting for 3 months, the protesters decided to leave the government house as there were constant attacks of bombs, grenades and gunfire.