The house right at the banks of Chao Phraya River, called Sunlaka Sathan, and once the gateway to Thailand, is rundown
today, but some oldtime elegance remains. In 1888 - after Thailands economy had changed from monopolized to free trade - King Rama V commanded to build it. The Italian architect Gioachion Grassi designed it in Neoclassical style. When the ships carrying merchandise from foreign countries entered the city they had to pass through this customs area. The tax was called Rang Phasi Roi Chak Sam, that's why peole called the house Rong Phasi. In 1949 the custom office was moved to a new port at Khlong Toey. So the house was transformed into Bangrak fire brigade station and from then on neglected. Today customs house is in the hands of Natural Park Public Company Limited and Silver link Holdings Ltd. They plan to turn it into The Aman Resort Bangkok Hotel, a fixe star house with 35 luxurious rooms. But a dispute about the removing of the fire station makes it unclear, if the plans will be realised.
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