During a recent broadcast on Facebook Live, Samart Jenchaijitwanich, a representative of the Palang Pracharath Party and former assistant to the Minister of Justice, revealed a precedent-defying twist in the lifestyle of the country’s political leadership. He elucidated that no previous Thai prime ministers have claimed permanent residence at Ban Norasingh in the heart of Bangkok’s Dusit district.
Samart enlightened his audience regarding the preferred residential choices of past prime ministers. They would either occupy their personal abodes or take up residence at the esteemed Phitsanulok Mansion, fondly dubbed as Thailand’s White House. This iconic structure, also nestled in Bangkok’s bustling Dusit district, has traditionally served as the official residence of the Thai Prime Minister.
Incumbent Prime Minister, Srettha, identified as the nation’s 30th head of state, has intentions to unfurl his blueprint. His vision involves repurposing the Phakdibodin Building of the Government House complex into a private room for nocturnal respite. This crucial accommodation upgrade is designed to alleviate the city’s traffic congestion by excluding Srettha’s daily commute from the congestion equation, or so the Prime Minister has justified.
Samart then shared a historical anecdote about Ban Norasingh, highlighting its rich history. Originally a dwelling of Chao Phraya Ram Rakop (alternatively known as Feu Pheungboon), a court official who served during the rule of King Vajiravudh (Rama VI), the residence received the patronage of the king himself, in the form of land grant and a primary building blueprint. The transfer of possession to the government for a sum of 1 million baht made by Chao Phraya Ram Rakop post the Siamese revolution in 1932, sealed Ban Norasingh’s destiny as the enduring site of Thailand’s Government House.
The spokesman narrated intriguing tales about Ban Norasingh, including alleged supernatural sightings. A popular account suggests that Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram, who once worked late into the night at Ban Norasingh, had a spectral encounter. The bewildered Field Marshal woke from slumber to a purported sighting of a ghost adorned in traditional Thai attire.
With the prime minister’s radical residential decision making headlines, Samart revealed some uncanny happenings in the country. He sighted occurrences of torrential rains in regions despite it being the cold season, a sudden cave-in of a lane in Bangkok’s Sukhumvit Road, and an unfortunate incident of a classroom collapse at a school in the province of Chonburi.
Samart ended his narrative with a foreboding warning, stating, “Worse phenomena could transpire once Mr. Srettha takes residency at the Government House on a full-time basis.” He further speculated a potential premature conclusion to Srettha’s tenure as Prime Minister.
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