The Office of the Prime Minister in Years Gone By

This area was called "Norasingha Mansion" and belonged to "General Admiral Chao Phya Ramarakop" (M.L. Fua Pungboon), key figure, during the reign of Rama VI, who was a Royal Bodyguard, Privy Councillor, Sua Pa Council President, Army General, Navy Admiral and the favorite of King Rama VI.

Norasingha Mansion is situated in Dusit District of old Bangkok, with approximately 27 square rai of occupied land. The owner of the mansion inherited it from King Rama VI, including all the construction cost of the mansion.

Though it was associated with the monarchy, "Norasingha Mansion" hold the uncertain history. It is unknown who named the mansion but one thing is certain; "Norasingha" refers to one reincarnation of Narayana, human body but with lion head and claws, to fight the devil "Hirantassura".

Before, Norasingha Mansion was decorated with the Norasingha Statue on the lawn of Thai Khufa Building. It mysteriously disappeared shortly after.

Government House

After the Public Committee was found, according to the Temporary Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, on June 27, 1932, the Public Committee was designated Cabinet, on June 28, 1932, which would later be known as "Foundation Date."

Since then, the Public Committee's Headquarters was situated at Ananda Smakom Palace, which also accommodated the House of Representatives.

On December 10, 1932, King Rama VII granted the Permanent Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand and designated Phya Manopakorn Nitithada, Public Committee President, Thailand's first Prime Minister.

During the term of Phya Phahon Phonpayuhasena (Phot Phahonyothin), the Office of the Prime Minister was transferred to Paluskawan Palace, which was the Coup d'Etat Headquarters, on June 26, 1933. The Government House then was named "Paluskawan Palace" and later "Office of the Prime Minister (Paluskawan Palace)" Again, during the term of Field Marshal Plaek Pibulsongkram, the Office was moved to Suan Kularb Palace, its nearby vicinity, on December 16, 1938.

In 1941, Japan's prposal to purchase the Norasingha Mansion and turn it into the Japanese Embassy in Thailand, as a result of its majestic beauty, was directed to the Mansion's owner but declined it was.

In March, 1941, General Admiral Chao Phya Ramarakop made a proposal to Mr. Pridi Banomyong, Minister of Finance, to sell Norasingha Mansion for two million Bahts, as he judged too large for a commoner to live and too expensive to maintain.

However, the Ministry of Finance declined his proposal.

Happily, in September 1941, Field Marshal Plaek Pibulsongkram accepted the proposal and purchased Norasingha Mansion to serve as the new Office of the Prime Minister. Still, the regents only agreed to purchase at the price of one million Bahts.

Since then, Norasingha Mansion was renamed "Concordance Victory Mansion" and "Government House" respectively, and the Office of the Prime Minister was installed here at last.