Government House of Thailand

The seat of the Thai prime minister and cabinet occupies an ornate compound beside a canal in central Bangkok. Its centrepiece, a Venetian Gothic and Moorish-influenced mansion once known as Baan Norasingha, was built in the early twentieth century for a court official before being taken over by the state. Elaborate arcades, pointed windows and a richly decorated audience hall reflect the eclectic tastes of the period. The grounds host cabinet meetings and are generally closed except on designated open days.