Former Dutch ambassador’s residence demolished in Bangkok
The building was more than 100 years old and won a conservation award in 1987. Its demolition follows the sale of the former embassy site.
A Bangkok house formerly used by the Dutch ambassador has been demolished after the Netherlands Embassy’s old compound was sold. Henriette Jansen shared photographs on Facebook showing the residence’s demolition.
The house stood at 15 Soi Ton Son within a nearly 20-rai (3.2-hectare) compound linking Wireless Road with Ploenchit Road. More than 100 years old, it featured colonial-style architecture and a distinctive tower. The Association of Siamese Architects recognised it with an outstanding building conservation award in 1987.
Before its diplomatic use, the house belonged to Dr. Alphonse Poix, a French royal physician who arrived in Siam in 1897 and served King Chulalongkorn. Prince Boworadet, King Mongkut’s grandson, subsequently lived there. The house became vacant after the prince sold some of the land and later went into political exile.
In 1949, the Netherlands Embassy bought the house together with the property and made it the ambassador’s home. The embassy relocated in August 2026 to Central Park Offices at Dusit Central Park, then offered its previous site for sale on a freehold basis.
Reports have suggested the land could be worth more than ฿20 billion and said an investment group had acquired it. The demolition has attracted attention because of the residence’s historical significance.
