The Home of the late Primeminister Mom Rajchawong Kukrit Pramoj

The home of Mom Rajchawong Kukrit Pramoj, the late 13^th Prime Minister of Thailand, represents the way of life of a well-to-do class in Thai society during the last century. The beautiful old teak houses show the art of historical Thai construction which hardly can be seen nowadays. The visitor senses that this really was a real home of a human being. It seems as Khun Kukrit just left the house for a moment and will be back any minute. This home is well worth a visit.
Mom Rajchawong (MR) Kukrit Pramoj was born on April 20^th, 1911 at the beginning of the reign of King Rama VI as the son of Prince Kamrob. He experienced the last years of the absolute monarchy in Thailand living in the Grand Palace. At the age of 15 Khun Kukrit went to England to continue his education at Trent College and eventually graduated from Oxford University in Philosphy, Politics and Economics.
Khun Kukrit was a man of may talents. He served in the army, was a Bankmanager, lectured at university, wrote books, was an artist, actor and politician. The first political party in Thailand (Progress Party) was founded in 1945 by Khun Kukrit. In 1950 he established the newspaper Siamrath. From 1975 until 1976 he took office as Prime Minister during the period when Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia collapsed and fell under communist rule. Another party was founded by Khun Kukrit in 1975 (Social Action Party) and he became its first leader. Because of his intensive readings and his way of life, he became one of the leading authorities on traditional Thai culture. He also was a respected amateur performer in Thai classical dance drama, the Khon. Khun Kukrit passed away on October 9^th, 1995 at the age of 84 years. [Short Biography].

The large hall in front set up as an open pavilion, on the right hand side right after the entrance to the estate, was used for public functions such as religious cere-monies, formal receptions and banquets for important visitors. And still today, since Khun Kukrit's home became a public acces-sible museum on November 4^th, 2000 the visitors are welcomed at this very pavilion and start their walk through the premises here.
The biography of this exceptional man is portrayed on many different notice boards in this building (unfortunately in Thai only). Remarkable is the collection of 33 traditional Khon-Masks which are also on display in the open pavilion. Several rehearsals of the famous Khon Thammasat Troup took place here as well under Khun MR Kukrit's supervision.

The open pavilion (right) is connected by a walled-in garden to the living quaters behind (left) which consist of five separate one-room teak houses. The garden was designed by Khun Kukrit himself. A shallow and narrow lotus pond is ment to coplement the bonsai garden in a devorative manner. There are Thai style sculpted miniature trees (Mai Dat in Thai, looking similar to Japanese bonsai but is not the same) as well as Bonsai Trees on display. Also the stone walls on both sides of the garden, which are engraved with Khmer statues and carvings were designed by Khun Kukrit.

From the open pavilion we walk through the bonsai garden towards the living quaters and reach the open grond floor which was used as the living area for dining and as informal sitting room. Further inside the ground floor there is an airconditioned meeting room on the left and on the right there are a pantry and some comfort rooms for guests. Turning left towards the paved pathway alongside the house we reach the front staircase leading up to the open veranda which builds the center of the five one-room houses. Each of the house had its own function.

As we go up the front staircase (picture on the right) the house on the right hand side was the family shrine. The largest of the three houses on the right, which is considered as the center of the whole group, was used at the official reception room. It is also called "The Thai Pavilion". The smaller house at the farther end behind the Thai pavilion was the private sitting room.
The house on the left hand side of the wooden front staircase was the bedroom (picture on the left). Adja-cent to the bedroom is a fully equipped modern bath-room added without spoiling the outside or inside ap-pearance of the house.
In the house opposite the bedroom across the open veranda is the library lo-cated. Numerous books of the world's great writers and publishers as well as photographs and items of Khun Kukrit's art collection. At the end of the veranda between the bedroom and the library is a small open bird pavilion overlooking the pond and the large western style rear garden. The bird pavilion lays exactly opposite the Thai pavilion. The veranda is beautifully decorated with various miniature trees (picture below).
Both pictures below are taken from the open bird pavilion towards the largest house in the background at the other end of the veranda. On the left picture the house which is used as the library is shown. The right pichture shows the bedroom house.
The first three houses were bought in 1960 (livingroom, bedroom and library). It took Khun Kukrit over 20 years to complete the estate as it presents itself today. Some of the houses are more than 100 years old. All of the buildings are authentic traditional Thai houses from the central plains built in Ayutthaya style. The layout was directed by Khun Kukrit himself. At their original places the houses were dismantled, transported to the present site and then reassembled again in the traditional technique of Thai architecture.

Left: The Thai pavilion on the elevated veranda seen across the lotus pond. From this pavilion one gets a good impression of the home either of the buildings on the veranda or the back garden.
Below: A view of the western style back garden towards the house with its large lawn. The buildings hardly can be seen among the greenery of the many trees.
You may sit yourself in the garden as once Khun Kukrit and having some refreshments sold there.

Location. The house is located in a quiet, small sidestreet at the following address: 19 Soi Phra Pinit, South Sathorn Road, Bangkok 10120. Coming from South Sathorn Road it is the first sidestreet, which connects Soi Suan Plu and Narathiwas Road.

Openinghours. The property is open on Saturday and Sunday as well as on public holidays from 10 am to 5 pm. Visits on other days can be arranged by appointment. Call for details. +66 (0)2 286'81'85,  +66 (0)2 679'36'30,  none.

Information. The entrance fee is Baht 50.- for adults and Baht 20.- for children. The premises can be viewed on your own. English speaking guides are available on request (the notice boards about the life of Khun Kukrit are all in Thai only).
In the "Great Hall" right after the entrance to the estate on the right hand side souvenirs and books by Khun Kukrit (in Thai only) are on sale. Some refreshments and Thai foods at reasonable prices are sold in the garden at the backside of the houses.
All proceeds from the entrance fees, sales of refreshments and foods as well as from sales of souvenirs and books are donated to the Kukrit 80 Foundation under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn for the promotion of Thai cultural heritage.