Daraphirom was a Chiang Mai residence of the late Princess Dara Rasmi, princess consort of King Chulalongkorn (1853-1910), to where, after the king’s demise, the princess received a permission from King Vajiravudh, King Chulalongkorn’s son and successor to the throne, to permanently return in 1914.  Princess Dara Rasmi decided on building her palace in Mae Rim District as it was in the scenic vicinity of Chiangmai with beautiful climate, fertile land, and abundant water supply for agriculture.

Daraphirom Palace is a building in the style of Thai stilt houses, in which the body of the palace is raised over reinforced concrete stilts, leaving an open space underneath for multipurpose usage, and supporting the weight of main floor and the wooden structure of the roof.  The design of the palace is influenced by Western architecture, which was popular at that time.  There are two flights of stairs in the front, one leading up from the driveway to the foyer on the main floor, and on to the rooftop for scenic viewing. 

The main floor of the building comprises many spacious rooms decorated with exquisite fretwork ventilators.  A wooden trelliswork over the extended back deck is installed and intertwined with ivy to provide shades.

The palace building is surrounded by Suan Chao Sabai Garden consisting of flowers, agricultural experiment plots, fruit, tree, and vegetable gardens.  Currently, Princess Dara Rasmi Monument has been erected in the front lawn, on which Chulalongkorn University hosts a yearly event on Princess Dara Rasmi Commemoration Day in collaboration with City of Chiangmai, Border Patrol Police, Tourism Authority of Thailand (Chiangmai Office), Chulalongkorn University Alumni Association (Northern Region), local schools, and Mae Rim residents.  Wreath laying ceremony, music and dance performances, Lanna vernacular art and crafts workshops, OTOP local goods exhibits

In 1998, after the palace was entrusted to Chulalongkorn University by the Princess’ relatives, the university started extensive efforts to conserve the Palace back as close as possible to its original state.  A decision was also made to open the Palace to the public as a museum, showcasing not only the history of the Palace, but also objects connected with the life and works of Princess Dara Rasmi, and Lanna (Upper Northern part of Thailand) art and culture.  The University has been fortunate in receiving generous support for these efforts from members of the Northern nobilities, local business sector, and the general public, who have contributed many of the current collections in the museum.  The museum was officially opened by Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana on December 9, 1999.

The effort of Chulalongkorn University in conserving the architecture of Daraphirom Palace was recognized in the year 2000 with a Royal award, ASA Architectural Conservation Award from The Association of Siamese Architects (ASA).

In addition to the beautifully conserved building, Chulalongkorn University also built a 1,453 sq. ft. Rasmi Thasana Building, adjacent to Daraphirom Palace Museum, to disseminate body of knowledge on history, culture, art, and religion related to Lanna and Princess Dara Rasmi. The purpose is to ensure that these traditional arts and customs are kept alive for future generations. 

Daraphirom Palace Museum receives over 30,000 visitors yearly.

In the fiscal year 2021, as all university facilities and services are closed for public, Chulalongkorn University took this opportunity to carry on a strategic project: Art and Cultural Facility Upgrades for Sustainable Development project with 9,000,000 baht budget allocation (approximately US$300,000).  The plan is to carry out maintenance of the roof, woodworks, paint of the entire building, and upgrading Rasmi Thasana Building, offices, library, object storage room, restrooms, music and dance performance space, visitors’ lounge, and handicap access on the entire premise.

After the Covid-10 situation is manageable in Thailand, hopefully in late 2021, Daraphirom Palace Museum will resume accepting visitors with fully-functioned facilities as to continue to contribute to sustainability of history, architecture, art and culture for Lanna and Thailand as a whole.

Daraphirom Palace Museum

Hours:
Wednesdays to Sundays including all public holidays
9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Tel. +66 53 299175

Admission Fee:
FREE for Children under 12 years old / priests or monks of any religion / students in uniforms
20 Baht (US$0.67) for adults and visitors from foreign countries

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DaraphiromPalace/
Email: cuartculture@chula.ac.th

Information on Daraphirom Palace Museum: https://www.cuartculture.chula.ac.th/en/department/daraphirom-palace-museum/
Princess Dara Rasmi Commemoration Day 2020: https://www.chula.ac.th/news/36668/
External link on The Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, Ministry of Culture: https://db.sac.or.th/museum/museum-detail/613

Previously submitted articles: 2021
Thai language https://www.cuartculture.chula.ac.th/article/5085/
English Language https://www.cuartculture.chula.ac.th/en/article/4176/