Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall | interesting place, 1915_construction

 interesting place, 1915_construction

The Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall (Thai: พระที่นั่งอนันตสมาคม) is a former reception hall within Dusit Palace in Bangkok, Thailand. It is now a museum.

One year after construction was completed of the Amphorn Satharn Villa, King Rama V commissioned the construction of Ananda Samakhom. It is situated to the east of Amphorn Satharn Villa. The commemorative stone was placed by King Rama V in November on the occasion of his 40th year of ascension to the throne. Ananda Samakhom is named after an old hall constructed during the reign of His Majesty King Rama IV which at the time was in such bad condition that it could not be renovated.

The throne hall was used as the headquarters of the People's Party during the four days of the 1932 Revolution (June 24-27), which transformed the country's political system from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional one. The first National People's Assembly convened on June 28, 1932 in this throne hall. After that, it was used as the Parliament House until 1974 when the new Parliament House was opened nearby. However, the old Parliament House is still used for the State Opening of Parliament marking the first assembly in consequence of a general election for the House of Representatives.

This huge ornate Italinate building dominates the royal plaza at the end of Ratchadamnoen Avenue, as it was meant to. The building was built in 1912, and for a time after the 1932 coup which ended the absolute monarchy, it housed the Thai parliament. The building has a spectacular interior, but it's generally only open to the public once a year, on Children's Day (the second Saturday in January). The decoration inside is as fine as any European palace, and in very much the same style, although there are small Thai touches throughout.
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