The Dara Pirom Palace

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About The Dara Pirom Palace

Dara Pirom Palace, located in Chiang Mai, is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in history and culture. Although it may seem like a quaint little house at first glance, the palace is rich in history and offers an excellent presentation of the past. The ambiance is serene and inviting, and the surrounding area is dotted with charming little restaurants, such as Terrace Farmers Bar and Baa Baa Black, perfect for a meal after exploring the palace.

The palace was once the residence of Dara, one of the over 50 consorts of King Rama V in the early 20th century. After the King's death, Dara retired to her hometown and lived in this palace for the last six years of her life. The palace was later bought by Chulalongkorn University and has been beautifully preserved, although photography is not allowed inside.

The palace is a beautiful two-story teakwood Victorian-style house that blends Thai and European architectural styles. It was the residence of Princess Dararasmi, one of King Rama V's wives, who was born in 1873 to the King of Chiang Mai. The Princess was very active in the development of art, culture, and farming in northern Thailand after the death of King Rama V. The mansion exhibits her personal collection, offering a glimpse into life in the early 20th century. A tour around the palace takes approximately 45 minutes and is a nice detour on the way to the tiger kingdom and the elephant camp.

The palace is a lovely example of Lanna architecture and offers a peek into the history of Northern Thai Lanna arts and culture. It was built for Princess Dararasmee, a champion of these arts and culture. The palace grounds are beautiful and serene, filled with historical photos. The palace is frequented mostly by Thai travelers, making it feel like an authentic part of history rather than a tourist attraction.

The palace also offers a wealth of information about the unique aristocrat who was sent by her father, the ruler of the Lanna area, to be a consort in King Chulalongkorn's court in 1889 at the age of 13. She promoted Northern Culture in her clothing, speech, ceremonies, and demeanor. After 23 years, she was able to return to her beloved hometown, Chiang Mai. Her marriage sealed the Lanna territory as part of Siam rather than the colonial powers.

The museum within the palace is dedicated to Princess Dara, who did a lot to help the local people, revitalizing the arts and culture of the Northern Lanna people and also helping with education. She spent a lot of time on agricultural projects, and this building was her former house, from which she supervised these projects. The lower floor of the building has a large weaving loom and many photos of past processions and festivals. The upper floor shows the rooms where the Princess stayed, as well as her furniture and personal items, with much information exhibited about her life history.

The outside grounds of the palace are just as interesting as the inside. They are very large, well-maintained, and pleasantly green. There is a beautiful rose garden, with many pink and yellow roses. The grounds are a pleasant area to exercise and hang out in the less hot times of day, like the evenings and early mornings. Many Thai people come here for their evening exercise.

The museum is one of the most interesting in the area and is well worth a visit. It tells an interesting historical story about the former Lanna princess who became a royal consort. The museum is in good shape and the exhibits are well signed in English. Visitors can walk through the house seeing furniture and pictures of the times and family. There is a small admission charge of 20 baht per person. This palace is definitely worth a visit for anyone interested in history, culture, and architecture.