Issaret Rachanuson Residence

            Issaret Rachanuson Residence,initially named Wang Chan Residence, is a western-styled royal residence bullt during King Rama IV’s relgn by order of King Pinklao who dlsliked living in Moo Phra Wiman, the vice king’s traditional residential complex, as did his predacessors. This new residence is a two-storey plsstered brick manston with exterlor stalrs lesding to the upper floor, according to a traditlonal Thai bellef that having interlor stalry is unfavorable,and thus the lower floor was noly used for royal servants’ dwelling,The king’s section on the upper floor consists of five rooms,namely library,reception room, dining room,bedroom,and dressing room. King Pinklao lived at this mansion untll he passed away in 1865. After that, King Rama IV ordered to modify the dining room for enshrinement of King Pinklao’s relics and renamed the mansion ‘Issaret Rachanuson Residence’. The relics were later relocated to Ho Phra Nak at the temple of the Emerald Buddha in the Grand Palace by the instruction of King Rama VI, In 1934, this mansion was adapted for use as the Fine Arts School’s Division of Performing and Musical Arts.

           Currently,the rooms on the upper floor of Issaret Rachanuson Residence are set up with associated European-styled furniture to display their initial function, while the lower floor is now the exhibition hall presenting King Pinklao’s biography and activitles.

The Biography of H.M. King Pinklao

          H.M. King Pinklao, originally called Prince Chuthamanee or Prince Noi, was the third son   of H.M. King Loetla Nabhalai, known as Rama II, and H.M. Queen Sri Suriyendra and the younger brother of H.M. King Mongkut, known as Rama IV. He was born on Sunday, September 4, 1808,   at 5 a.m. at Old Thonburi Palace.
           In 1809, Rama II ascended to the throne as the second ruler of Chakri Dynasty; young Pinklao, 13-month-old, followed his king father to live in the Grand Palace.
           At age 16, teenage Pinklao served in his father’s office and received many praise for his professional accomplishment. In May 10, 1832, age 24, he was promoted by the king to be Krom Khun Isaret Rangsan.

  H.M. King Pinklao’s obligation in military domains included navy, army, and artillery. Also, his excellence at arts of letters and English writings made him reliable personnel for the king’s dealing with contracts with foreigners.

 In 1851 Rama III passed away and Rama IV ascended to the throne as the fourth king of the house of Chakri. Then in May 25 of the same year, the king granted royal entitlement to enthrone his younger brother to be H.M. King Pinklao, the Second King of Siam with equal honor. The reasons were that back then he was well-beloved both to Siamese and his own king brother and also outstanding in fields of weaponry and warfare, especially of modern European military operation. He was well-rounded in internal and foreign affairs, chiefly with western nations. With these properties combined, he received higher honor than any other second kings that had existed before.

 H.M. King Pinklao has totally 58 children: 29 sons and 29 daughters. Sickness touched him since 1861, and then his perish at 6 a.m. of Sunday, January 7, 1865, the place was Isaret Rachanusorn Hall in Phra Ratcha-wangBowon SathanMongkhon. At his death he was 58; his reign lasted 15 years.