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Dusit

Dusit is an historic district just north of Rattanakosin Island. The district is the administrative centre of Thailand, as both the National Assembly and royal palace are in this district. It is connected to Rattanakosin Island by Ratchadamnoen Avenue, that literally means the royal way for travelling. The district was built on the orders of King Chulalongkorn, who wanted to escape the boundaries of the Rattanakosin Island. Phra Ratcha Wang Dusit, known as Dusit Palace, was build between 1897 and 1901 as new Royal Palace in place of Grand Palace, which had been the residence of the Thai Kings from the foundation of Rattanakosin Kingdom in 1782. The complex is composed of more than a dozen Palaces, including Throne Halls, Royal Mansions, the impressive Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, wide boulevards and large parks, over an area of about 16 acres. The most famous Buddhist temple of the district is Wat Benchamabophit Dusitvanaram, better known as the Marble Temple or Wat Ben, which is considered one of the most beautiful temples of Thailand.