2 Best Sights in Around Bangkok, Thailand

Built for King Louis XIV of France's personal representative, De Chaumont, Vichayen House was later occupied by King Narai's infamous Greek minister, Constantine Phaulkon, whose political schemes eventually resulted in the ouster of all Westerners from Thailand. When King Narai was dying in 1668, his army commander, Phra Phetracha, seized power and beheaded Phaulkon.

Intended as a rainy-season retreat by King Rama V and started in 1910, the palace was eventually completed by a German architect for King Rama VI in 1916. It was modeled on a palace of Germany's Kaiser Wilhelm and consequently has a grand European-style design with art nouveau flourishes. Arranged around an open courtyard, the palace has a distinctive portico with decorative panels that reach to the roof of the upper floor. The dining room has ornate ceramic tiles. Located on a Royal Thai Army base, the former palace now operates as a museum.