Satun National Museum (Ku Den Castle)

satun National museum–Kuden Mansion (พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติสตูล–คฤหาสน์กูเด็น) is located on Satun Thani Road, Soi 5, opposite the Satun Provincial Land Office. Construction was started in 1898 and completed in 1916 by Phraya Phumnatphakdi or Tunku Baharutdin Bin Tammahong (formerly Kuden Binkumae), the ruler of Satun, during the reign of King Rama V. The mansion was intended to be a royal residence during a royal visit of King Rama V to the South. However, the king did not stay overnight here. The building was later used as an official residence and as the Satun Town Hall. Until WWII in around 1941, the building was occupied by Japanese soldiers as their command unit. It was also used as the Satun City Hall and other important official places. During 1997–2000, the Fine Arts Department renovated the Kuden Mansion into a western two-storey brick building. Curved doors and windows are in the European architectural style of art. Its Thai-styled hip-roof is covered with Spanish terra cotta roof tiles. Window panels consist of wooden shutters. The top of the pediment is adorned with a star-shaped vent in accordance with Islamic architecture.
Inside, there are displays of history of Satun town and ways of life of the people of Satun, such as the sea dwellers of Ko Lipe, pot making, a room of the ruler of Satun’s residence, a room of the Thai Muslim culture depicting arts, culture, traditions, local lifestyles, etc. The museum is open on Wednesdays to Sundays from 9.00 a.m.–4.00 p.m. It is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, and public holidays. Admission fee is 30 Baht. For more information, please call 0 7472 3140.