When I were there, Doi Tung (I)

Translation of the guided tour of Doi Tung Royal Villa

Please observe that no cameras or video recorders may be used inside the royal villa. Kindly remove your hats and sunglasses and refrain from touching any objects. This is the guided tour, please follow the guide at all time.

This is the villa in which the King's mother lived and worked while in residence in Chiang Rai. HRH was mother to the reigning monarch, King Bhumipol Adulyadej. It was built with her personal funds when she was 88 years old, officially opened in November 1988.

The King's mother lived in Switzerland while her children were completing their education. It was a very happy period in her life. When she decided to build a home in Thailand, it was under one condition that she could and help develop the area. She agreed to the choice of a site and a style that combined the things she like about mountain homes in both Europe and Northern Thailand.

East Wing

• There are four large terraces facing north to the ridge that forms the border between Thailand and Myanmar. The name of this mountain is Doi Tung. Doi means mountain. Tung means holy banner. The Doi Tung temple up above is one of the most sacred pilgrimage points in Northern Thailand.
  
• In the east wing are the private quarters of HRH the Princess Mother's daughter, Princess Galayani Vadhana who is an elder sister to the King and her granddaughter, Thanpuying Tassanawalai. The terrace flower planters are carved with images of fruits and native orchids. The carvings along the roof are in a floating could motive. The rooftop decorations are knows as "galare". There are 14 pairs of galare, 12 of which are carved with representations of the northern Thai or "Lanna" 12-year Buddhist cycle. The remaining 2 are carved with local flower.

The wood paneling in the palace is entirely made from recycled pine wood shipping crates. The King's mother was very environmentally conscious. On the walls are pictures of her taken from the balcony of her flat in Switzerland where she liked to spend her free time tending her window garden.

Grand Reception Hall
The official portrait of the King's mother was made at age 93, a little more than one year before her passing. The portrait now occupies the place at which HRH official received visitors. Her chair would have been in this exact location. On the ceiling, there are the constellations of zodiac signs. The white lights are the solar system the planets are fixed at the exact moment of her birth on October 21, 1900. On the left is the embroidered silk wall panels made by villagers in Chiang Mai who knew her love of embroidery.

The side hall
Thai consonants an numeral are carved into the stairwell leading to the service areas. This is a testament to HRH the Princess Mother belief in literacy to provide opportunity for all. The painting on the wall is the legend of DoiTung in the hope that DoiTung shall one-day return to its original state.

The Legend of Doi Tung
Once upon the time King Lawacahkalaj came down from heaven on a silver ladder. His purpose was to protect and uphold the Buddhist religion. The mountain upon which he appeared became know as "Mountain of the Holy Banner" or "Doi Tung" in the language of the north. The plants, birds and animals in the painting are said to be those which inhabited the forest where the King lived during his life on earth.

HRH private quarter
HRH private quarters are located in the West wing of the Doi Tung Royal Villa. From here you can see the main sitting room. It was here that she would rest and relax during her residence.

Please note the embroidery sample. The ABC's are decorated with flowers. Each flower name begins with a different letter of alphabet.

There are two paintings of two views of Doi Tung in the Grand Reception Hall: Dawn and Twilight. The painting technique shows us a changing landscape as we walk by.