Wichayen House

Wichayen House is located on Wichayen Road, 300 metres from Prang Khaek to the north of Phra Narai Ratchaniwet. It served as the residence for the envoys paying a courtesy call on King Narai the Great in Lop Buri. The first group of French ambassadors who arrived in 1685 stayed at this place. Then, a Greek man, called Constantine Phaulkon who came and served as a government official, did many good meritorious deeds and was granted the position of royal minister “Chaophraya Wichayen”. He was also granted a house on the west side of this residence. The compound within Ban Wichayen comprises 3 sections: a grand two-storey building, made of bricks and a narrow and long one-storey building with the arched entrance in the west. At the centre are situated significant buildings, such as bases of constructions assumed to have been a bell tower and a Christian church at the back with a gable entrance. In the east lies a group of large two-storey buildings with a staircase in an arch shape at its front. The entrance is similar to that on the west side. The architectural characteristics inside some residences in the compound are in the authentic European style, especially the large two-storey ones on the east, which were made of bricks and covered with cement. Their windows and archways reflect the Renaissance style of art, which was popular during that period. The important thing is the Christian church, whose plan and design is in a European style but with the entrance and window facades in the Ruean Kaeo style. The top of each column is an elongated lotus petal shape, presenting traditional Thai art. It is considered as the first Christian church, decorated in the Buddhist temple style. It is open from 7.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. except Monday, Tuesday and public holidays. Admission fee is 50 baht. For further information, please contact Tel. 0 3641 2510, 0 3641 3779.