Not to be Missed…

• The Bamboo Bar in The Oriental, Bangkok.
• Le Bouchon, a teeny French restaurant in a ridiculous location.
• M.R. Kukrit’s Heritage Home.
• The Jim Thompson House Museum.
• The Joe Louis Puppet Theatre.
• The Kamthieng House in the compound of the Siam Society.
• Suan Pakkad Palace Museum

M.R. Kukrit’s Heritage Home

Mom Rajawongse (M.R.) Kukrit Pramoj was born in Thailand in 1911, member of a princely family on his father’s side and one of the most influential ministerial families on his mother’s side. In his early life he was educated at home and experienced life in the Grand Palace during the last years of the absolute monarchy. He died in 1995.

M.R. Kukrit was a man of many talents: He set up the first political party in Thailand and was Prime Minister in 1975-1976. He was the leading authority on traditional Thai culture and a respected performer in classical dance drama. He even played opposite Marlon Brando in the Hollywood film, The Ugly American.

His home sits on a two-acre parcel of land in what is now Bangkok’s financial district. There are five one-room teak houses on elevated poles, connected by an open verandah, with an open ground floor in the traditional Thai style. There is also a large hall for public functions with a walled-in garden to connect the elements of the compound. All the buildings are authentic, traditional Thai houses from the central plains of Thailand, some over 100 years old. As M.R.Kukrit was a man of artistic temperament, his home is filled with unique plants, sculptures, and antiques.

The Heritage Home is open to the public on Saturdays, Sundays, and on Public Holidays. There are English-speaking guides; entrance fee is 50 Baht.

To get to the Home by BTS, get off at Chong Nonsi (one stop from Sala Daeng on the way to Sapin Taksin). Go out exit 2. Go down the stairs and walk straight ahead toward Sathorn. You will come to the pedestrian bridge that goes up over Sathorn. Go up the stairs, cross over Sathorn and go down the stairs that are straight ahead of you. Continue to walk straight ahead and cross soi 5. Continue on to Soi 7 (Soi Prapinit) and turn left. The Home is on the right about 150 meters into the soi at 19 Soi Prapinit. Telephone: 02-287-2937