U.S. Consulate, Chiang Mai

[CMHomeboy78]

I have some questions concerning the compound and buildings now occupied by the U.S. Consulate.

1. Was it originally built by the ruling family [Chaos] of Chiang Mai?

2. Approximately when was it built? The older buildings seem to date from the reign of Rama V. Were they built for Chao Dara Rasmi? Or is there evidence that they date from before her time?

3. What year did it become the U.S. Consulate?

4. Was it occupied and used by the Japanese High Command in Chiang Mai during WWII? If so, how many years were they there?

Answers to these questions and any other pertinent information would be appreciated.

My own recollection from the late 70's is that it was a lovely place.

With one Thai guard at the open gate. After a smiling glance at your passport you were in among beautifully preserved old buildings and well tended gardens.

There was a lumyai orchard whose yearly revenue provided a fund for interest-free loans to Americans in difficulty here. In one of my early years in Chiang Mai, carelessness on my part resulted in the theft of my travellers checks. So I became the grateful recipient of $300., which I repaid in due course.

All in all a very nice place and, with a few exceptions, courteous people who were pleasant to deal with.

But even swans must die.

Now, a visit is an experience that would have given the likes of George Orwell and Franz Kafka some good material for their dark prophetic writings.

But be that as it may, the history of this Chiang Mai landmark is surely of interest to many.

Thanks for any information.

[hml367]

There is a short history on the web site. In addition to the short history in ABOUT, there is something in the RESOURCES with some history of the mission in Northern Thailand.

I don't remember what I saw when I was at the palace in Mae Rim, but there may be something there also.

MSPain

[CMHomeboy78]

There is a short history on the web site. In addition to the short history in ABOUT, there is something in the RESOURCES with some history of the mission in Northern Thailand.

I don't remember what I saw when I was at the palace in Mae Rim, but there may be something there also.

MSPain

Thanks for the input.

I'll check them all out.

Incidentally, by "palace in Mae Rim" do you mean the Darapirom Mansion? I only recentely heard of this place and I'm looking forward to a visit.

Chao Dara Rasmi's life is very interesting and well worth study, But what relation she had to the Consulate buildings I don't know.

Thanks again.

[hml367]

My age and my memory.... not sure if that is the name, but in one of the pages I mentioned that is on the Consulate web site it talks about the palace in Mae Rim. There used to be a web site for the palace in Mae Rim. I am not sure if it is still up.

MSPain

[WinnieTheKhwai]

All in all a very nice place and, with a few exceptions, courteous people who were pleasant to deal with.

But even swans must die.

Now, a visit is an experience that would have given the likes of George Orwell and Franz Kafka some good material for their dark prophetic writings.

We can probably agree that we have our friends from the Middle East to thank for that experience. When it comes to either providing an open walk-in experience or having your citizens and staff blown up, they probably made the rational choice.

[elektrified]

There is a short history on the web site. In addition to the short history in ABOUT, there is something in the RESOURCES with some history of the mission in Northern Thailand.

I don't remember what I saw when I was at the palace in Mae Rim, but there may be something there also.

MSPain

Thanks for the input.

I'll check them all out.

Incidentally, by "palace in Mae Rim" do you mean the Darapirom Mansion? I only recentely heard of this place and I'm looking forward to a visit.

Chao Dara Rasmi's life is very interesting and well worth study, But what relation she had to the Consulate buildings I don't know.

Thanks again.

I've been to that museum a couple of times. Not much to see as it is a very small house with a nice garden. But a pleasant place to go for an hour. Good history lesson about old Chiang Mai though as you can read the text under each photograph hanging on the wall. Sounds like what you are looking for.