An overlooked treasure, Suan Pakkad (literally 'lettuce farm') is a collection of eight traditional wooden Thai houses that was once the residence of Princess Chumbon of Nakhon Sawan and before that a lettuce farm. Within the stilt buildings are displays of art, antiques and furnishings, and the landscaped grounds are a peaceful oasis complete with ducks, swans and a semi-enclosed garden.

The diminutive Lacquer Pavilion, at the back of the complex, dates from the Ayuthaya period and features gold-leaf Jataka and Ramakian murals, as well as scenes from daily Ayuthaya life. The building originally sat in a monastery compound on the Chao Phraya River, just south of Ayuthaya. Larger residential structures at the front of the complex contain displays of Khmer-style Hindu and Buddhist art, Ban Chiang ceramics and a very interesting collection of historic Buddhas, including a beautiful late U Thong–style image.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Baiyoke Tower II

0.31 MILES

Cheesiness and altitude run in equal parts at Baiyoke Tower II, formerly Bangkok’s tallest building. Ascend through a corridor decked with aliens and…

2. Victory Monument

0.57 MILES

This obelisk was built by the then military government in 1941 to commemorate a 1940 campaign against the French in Laos. Today the monument is primarily…

4. Bangkok Doll Factory & Museum

0.71 MILES

This workshop was founded by Khunying Tongkorn Chandavimol in 1956 after she completed a doll-making course while living in Japan. Her dolls draw on Thai…

5. YELO House

0.71 MILES

An art gallery? Vintage-clothing market? Co-working space? Cafe/restaurant? YELO House is so cool, it's hard to pin down what it actually is. So we'll go…

6. Baan Khrua

0.73 MILES

This canalside neighbourhood dates back to the turbulent years at the end of the 18th century, when Cham Muslims from Cambodia and Vietnam fought on the…

7. Phamai Baan Krua

0.74 MILES

Situated in the canalside community of Baan Khrua, this family outfit weaves silk on old teak looms.

8. Wat Pathum

0.74 MILES

A low-key but beautiful Buddhist temple sandwiched between two of Bangkok's snazziest shopping malls.