THE COMMAND BUILDINGS 1 AND 2

House Government HouseTHE COMMAND BUILDINGS 1 AND 2

This was once the site of Ploy Noppakao House and Pran House, which were first used as guesthouses by Chao Phraya Ram Raghop and later Prime Minister Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat.

This was once the site of Ploy Noppakao House and Pran House, which were first used as guesthouses by Chao Phraya Ram Raghop and later Prime Minister Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat. Both houses were later demolished to make way for a new five-story, international-style TuekBanchakarn, or Command Building, constructed to resemble the style of the teakwood Ruan Phloi Noppakao.

Originally, the Command Building housed the Office of the Prime Minister and later the Office of the National Security Council. As the building became too small to serve its many functions, an extension was added. Once completed, the Office of the Prime Minister was moved into new premises, and the building was thus renamed Command Building 2, or Old Command Building. Today, it houses the offices of the Ministers attached to the Office of the Prime Minister, associated agencies, and several small conference rooms.

Command Building 1 is the newer structure located close to the compound’s southern wall where, in former times, stood the Sarathun (TuekKhwang), Phungbun, Bunyasai and Yen buildings, all private residences of family members of Chao Phraya Ram Raghop. At that time, the second floors of the Sarathun and Phungbun buildings were connected on their north sides by walkways while the second floors of the Bunyasai and Yen buildings were connected by walkways on their east sides. There was also a walkway that attached these buildings to the SaengArthit Tower that then led to the Phra Khan Building, now known as the Nari Samoson Building.

During the premiership of Field Marshal P.Pibulsonggram, this group of buildings served as the headquarters of the Office of the Prime Minister as well as his official residence.

Command Building 1 is located between Command Building 2 and the Saeng Athit Building. It currently houses the offices of Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers attached to the Office of the Prime Minister, the Office of the Secretary-General to the Prime Minister for Political Affairs, advisors to the Prime Minister and other government officials. There is also a reception area and meeting room.

Harmonious Architecture
In 2014, a number of buildings at Government House underwent renovations to make them more harmonious with each other. To the Command Buildings 1 and 2 was added a Neo Venetian Gothic style façade that resembles the exterior of the Thai KuKhu Fah and Santi Maitri buildings. The façades were constructed at the front and back of each building to create a consistent and harmonious impression between the main buildings at Government House compound. In addition to the exteriors enhancing a sense of elegance, the façades also help to filter sunlight and thus reduce interior temperatures and energy consumption.

Like the Thai Khu Fah Building, at the top of each mace patterned façade is affixed the Government House Seal, portraying the history and heritage of the compound.