Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall is situated near King Rama V Statue and Vimanmek Mansion. The eight-year establishment started in the reign of King Rama V. It was used for welcoming state guests and holding the meeting to discuss on the country’s affairs. King Rama V hired Mr. M. Tamango and Mr. C. Allegre, Italian artists, as an architect and an engineer, respectively, and assigned Chao Phraya Yommarat (Pan Sukhum) as a person in charge of the establishment. Nevertheless, after the two years of construction, King Rama V passed away. King Rama VI, then, took over the construction, which was completed six years later in 1915. Therefore, Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall took eight years for its construction. The building is made of marble, like the classic Roman dome, with Italian Renaissance and Neoclassic style. The outside is decorated with marbles from Carrara, Italy. Some of them were carved into the shape of various types of plants and the shape of humans, in order to make the building more outstanding. The configuration of Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall is the same pattern with St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. From the bird’s eye view, we can see the throne hall planned like the shape of the cross. The highlight of the throne hall is on the upper part of the building—a large dome in the center, surrounded by six smaller domes, all of which were made of bronze. Inside the throne hall, the ceiling of the dome is decorated with six fresco paintings (wet lime painting), depicting the important royal duties of Chakri dynasty’s kings, from King Rama I to King Rama VI. Under the largest dome in the center, there is an inscription of King Rama V’s monogram (Jor Por Lor) since he was the one who had the idea of constructing Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall. From the ceiling under the dome to the room were the inscriptions of King Rama V’s monogram, alternating with King Rama VI’s (Wor Por Lor), whose reign was the completion of Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall’s construction. There is an elegant marble curved staircase, leading to the large hall with high ceiling upstairs. The ceiling of the hall also has beautiful patterns with curve lines connecting two capitals. The whole columns are made of marble and are carved elaborately, especially those with Corinthian order which were carved into the shape of leaves and were very popular since the ancient Greek period. In addition, above every door were Roman marble dolls with garlands hanging gorgeously on their necks. At first, Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall was used for performing royal ceremonies and for holding the parliament meeting; however, the meeting is moved to the new parliament behind the throne hall. At present, it displays a permanent exhibition “Silp Phaendin” by Sirikit Institute, Chitralada Villa. It is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (The ticket booth closes at 5 p.m.) and closes on Monday, New Year’s Day, and Songkran Festival. The visitors have to dress properly. The admission fee is 150 baht for adult and 75 baht for children. For more details, contact 0 2283 9411or 02 283 9185.