A royal Thai pavilion

The City of Lausanne is the home of a royal Thai pavilion in Denantou Park, one of the loveliest green spaces on the shores of Lake Geneva.

H.M. King Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII) and H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) lived in Lausanne for 18 years, from 1933 to 1951, with H.R.H. the Princess Mother Mahidol and their older sister, H.R.H. Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhivas Rajanagarindra.

The Thai pavilion is built in the Jaturamuk style, with four aspects and a Mandapa resembling a miniature of the royal palace. It is 6 metres wide, 6 metres long and 16 metres high, including the tip of the roof. The building showcases the excellence of Thai architecture and the traditional art of Thailand: fork-tail wood assembly, sculpture on wood, gold and glass decoration and gold leaf paint. These structures are not seen as religious buildings; they are part of a royal palace and are constructed for outdoor celebrations.

In Lausanne, the building was constructed in 2007 by Thai craftsmen in collaboration with the parks and promenades department. H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the daughter of H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, graciously accepted an invitation to preside over the inauguration of the pavilion on 17 March 2009.

Medias

© LT/Mano

© Davide Seddio

Lausanne Tourisme Parks