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The Name Norasingh There is no clear evidence showing whether the residence was named by King Vajiravudh or by the owner himself. Norasingh, however, was the god Vishnu incarnate who subjugated a fierce demon known as Hiranyakasipu. Norasingh had the head of a lion and the body of a human. The fingernails, which resembled lion claws, were used as his weapon. (For details see Lilit Narai Sip Pang [A Treatise on the Ten Incarnations of Vishnu] by King Vajiravudh). Formerly a full-figure statue of Norasingh graced the yard of Villa Norasingh. This statue, which was a symbol of the house, is no longer there, however, and its present whereabouts are unknown. Government House A People's Committee was established of June 27, 1932 as an Executive Committee in accordance with the Royal Command to enforce an interim constitution of Siam of 1932. The People's Committee became the Council of Ministers on the day following the Royal Command. The 28th June is thus upheld as the establishment day of the Prime Minister's Office. The work of the People's Committee was conducted at the Ananda Samagom Throne Hall which was also used as the House of Representatives. At that time, Phraya Manopakorn Nitithada (Kon Hutasinha) chaired the People's Committee. When King Prajadhipok, King Rame VII, promulgated a constitution on December 10, 1932 and appointed Phraya Manopakorn Nitithada as Prime Minister under the new constitution, the his place of work continued to remain at the Ananda Samagom Throne Hall. On June 21, 1933, General Phraya Bahol Balabayuha Sena (Phot Bahalayodhin) assumed the premiership. The Prime Minister's Office was moved to Paruskavan Palace which had already been seized by the people who were responsible for bringing political changes to the country. Furthermore, it was the residence of General Phraya Bahol Balabayuha Sena. Initially, the office was alternately known as Paruskavan Palace and the Prime Minister's Office, Paruskavan Palace. Later, however, it was known only by the latter name. When Field Marshal P. Pibulsonggram became Prime Minister on December 16, 1938, the Prime Minister's Office was relocated to Suan Kularb Palace which was near Paruskavan Palace.

The June 24 Group of buildings which constituted the Prime Minister's Office

during the premiership of Field Marshal P.Pibul-songgram

In 1941, during the Great East Asian War, the Japanese, who appreciated the beauty of Villa Norasingh, discussed the possibility of purchasing the premises for use as the official Japanese Embassy in Thailand. However, in March, 1941, General Admiral Chao Phraya Ram Raghop, the owner of Villa Norasingh wrote to the Minister of Finance, Dr. Pridi Banomyong, proposing that the government purchase the house for the sum of 2 million baht because he considered its size to be above his status and the upkeep too high. At first the Ministry of Finance declined the offer, but in September of the same year, Prime Minister Field Marshal P. Pibulsonggram, felt it appropriate that the government purchase the premises at an agreed price of 1 million baht for use in receiving guests of state. King Ananda Mahidol, Rama VIII's regents, namely His Royal Highness Prince Aditya Dibabha and General Chao Phraya Bijayendra Yodhin (Um Bijayendra Yodhin), ordered the Ministry of Finance to make payment from the Crown Property Bureau and placed Villa Norasingh under the care of the Prime Minister's Office with instructions that as from 1941 onwards the premises be used for receiving guests of state and as the site of Government House. Consequently, Villa Norasingh became known as Thamniap Samakkhi Chai and Thamniap Ratthaban (Government House) respectively. The Prime Minister's Office moved from Suan Kularb Palace to these new premises. On November 29, 1963, the Cabinet approved the purchase of Government House and entered into a contract with the Crown Property Bureau at a price of Baht 17,780,802.36 (seventeen million seven hundred and eighty thousand eight hundred and two baht thirty-six satang). This price was reached by adding to the original purchase price the cost of repair and maintenance and multiplying it by 15 then reducing it by 20% in accordance with government regulations at the time. The title deed was transferred at the Bangkok Land Office on October 1, 1969. Having recounted the importance and historical background of Government House, we shall now introduce the reader to its actual grounds.

Surrounding area and walls Government House used to have three visible walls on the eastern, northern and southern sides. The remaining western side, which connects with the former Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy, is not visible because the entire length is practically obscured by a series of buildings.
The East Wall This is made of concrete and is fitted with 3 wrought iron gates beautifully designed to harmonize with the building. The upper part of the wall on either side of the middle gate carries a sign bearing the words Thammiap Ratthaban (Government House). The wall, which is at the front of Government House, faces Nakhon Pathom Road which parallels Prem Prachakon Canal. It is a concrete road and is used as the parking area for people who visit Government House on business. In former times, there was a large pavilion to the front of Villa Norasingh that served as a rest house and reception area. Nakhon Pathom Road, which passes in front of the gate, was made of gravel and was lined on both sides with tamarind trees. A beautifully constructed glass pavilion used as a landing pier stood on the bank of Prem Prachakon Canal opposite the present-day Kraison or Thai Khu Fa Building. Each column of the wall was adorned with an emblem showing a celestial being bearing a sword of state. This emblem was used by General Admiral Chao Phraya Ram Raghop as his personal crest because, in his capacity as Royal Page, it was his duty to bear the Sword of State during the coronation ceremony of king Vajiravudh. As he was of royal descent, he was permitted to use an image of a celestial being bearing a sword of state as his crest. If he had been a commoner, he would have had to use an image of a young man instead of a celestial being. When Villa Norasingh became Government House the emblems attached to the columns were replaced with images of heraldic lions (rajasi) and mythological lions with the trunk of an elephant (khotchasi) which represent the seal of the prime minister and serve to guard the constitution through this gate.

The emblem showing a celestial being bearing a sword of state ,

the personal crest of General Admiral Chao Phraya Ram Raghop

The South Wall This wall, also made of concrete, faces Luk Luang Road, which was made of gravel, and runs parallel with Phadung Krung Kasem Canal. There are four gates along this wall but nowadays only one is used, namely the third gate near the present-day Secretariat of the Cabinet building.

The south Wall parallels Phadung Krung Kasem

Canal during the Thamniap Samakkhi Chai period

During Villa Norasingh days, there was a small gate in the southeastern corner of the wall to the rear of the building known as Phloi Nopphakhao About half a wall's length from this gate was a larger gate which provided access to Villa Norasingh from the south. On entering this gate, one would have come across Sarathun building before anything else. Outside the wall, directly facing the gate, stood another landing pier on the bank of Phadung Krung Kasem Canal which resembled the eastern landing pier in all its splendour. Nowadays, the large and small gates are closed and no longer in use. The only gate in current use is the newly renovated gate near the present-day Secretariat of the Cabinet building. The entire length of Luk Luang Road extending to Makkhawan Rangsan Bridge, which was formerly a gravel road, has been transformed into a concrete road.

The North Wall faces the Office of the Civil Service Commission

The North wall Like the two walls already mentioned, this wall is also made of concrete and has two gates. The first gate is opposite the Office of the Civil Service Commission (OCSC) while the second gate is opposite the Office of the Commission of Counter Corruption (OCCC). Formerly a pavement skirted the outer wall on this side of Villa Norasingh. There was a canal with tram tracks paralleling the canal on the Phitsanulok Road side. At the end of the wall, where it adjoins the former Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy, is a small gate which can still be seen today.
The West Wall The wall runs along the edge of a natural moat that separates Government House and the former Chula chomklao Royal Military Academy. Originally, the moat was much wider and deeper than it is today and was formerly used as a training pool for the Academy's cadets. At present, it is quite shallow and silted up, however. The wall is on the side of Government House.

In the Compound of Government House Besides being the center of national administration, Government House is renowned for its many fine and elegant buildings in the Venetian Gothic style of architecture and decoration, dating from the reign of King Vajiravudh, Rama VI.
Grounds and Garden in front of the Thai Khu Fa Building On passing through the front gate on the eastern side of Government House, visitors are greeted by a large lush green circular lawn which fills the area in front of the Thai Khu Fa building. A concrete road skirts the southern and northern sides of the garden while the stairway leading into the Thai Khu Fa building is on the western side. On both sides of the stairway are flower beds planted with a colourful variety of flowers. Ornamental lamp-posts serve a dual purpose of decorating the garden and illuminating the grounds in the evening hours. Several ancient cannons mounted on stands are placed in various positions at the edge of the garden.

The layout of the garden together with its landscaping help to accentuate the beauty of the Thai Khu Fa building, rising majestically in the background and give it prominence in the midst of the buildings standing to the rear and on either side. On special occasions such as state receptions to mark His Majesty the King's birth anniversary and to welcome visiting Heads of State, which are always attended by large numbers of dignitaries, the gardens and the surrounding area are brilliantly decorated with myriads of tiny lights.

The spirit house is sited near the exit gate in the east wall

Spirit House The spirit house was formerly set up in the northeastern corner of the compound but was later relocated to its present site near the exit gate in the east wall. The area has been landscaped into a small flower garden, raised slightly higher than the concrete pavement which passes in front. The original site of the spirit house has now become part of the Government House police security force whose office is located inside the north wall extending from the gate opposite the Office of the Civil Service Commission. The present location of the spirit house was the former residence of the night watchmen responsible for security at Villa Norasingh. After Villa Norasingh became Government House, the spirit house was relocated to this site. Another important Building

The Thai Khu Fa Building (Kraison Building)
The Nari Samoson Building
The Santi Maitri Building
Saeng Athit Building
The (Former) Command Building
The (New) Command Building
Secretariat of the Cabinet Building
Office of the Permanent Secretary Building
The Six-storey Building
Education Division Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy

Conclusion In March, 1941, General Chao Phraya Ram Raghop, the original owner, proposed that the government purchase Villa Norasingh, which at the time was only partially completed. Field Marshal P. Pibulsonggram agreed to purchase the premises for use in receiving state guests and as the site of Government House in September of the same year. Even though the ownership was finally transferred to the government on 1 October , 1969, Villa Norasingh has, been used as Government House since September, 1941. Over the past 56 years, Villa Norasingh has, for various reasons, been periodically renovated and upgraded to become the buildings that stand today. These renovations can be divided into five distinct phases as follows : Phase 1 During the premiership of Field Marshal P. Pibulsonggram (1938-1944/1948-1957), work continued on the uncompleted parts of the buildings which included fitting windows and doors and painting decorative motifs on the ceiling. Professor Silpa Bhirasri had an important role to play in this work. The ambiance began to change from that of a residence to that of a Government House. For example, the name of the building was changed from Kraison to Thai Khu Fa and the government seal was added. This period also saw the construction of many new buildings such as the Secretariat of the Cabinet Building, the building for the Office of the Permanent Secretary, the Prime Minister's Office and the outer wing of the Santi Maitri building.
Phase 2 Further extensions were made during the premier-ship of Field Marshal Srisdi Dhanarajata (1959-1963). To meet the demand for extra space, more buildings were constructed. Among them were the inner wing of the Santi Maitri building. The original wooden Phloi Nopphakhao building was demolished and the former Command Building constructed in its place.
Phase 3 Even though there was sufficient office space to accommodate the number of government officials and the volume of work during the premiership of Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn (1958/1963-1973), additional buildings were constructed. These include the new Command Building which was constructed as a replacement for the June 24 group of buildings. Construction of this building, however, was to ensure maximum utilization of its facilities and to conform with the status of Government House at the time. This period saw many improvements and decorations to the existing buildings in order to update them and prepare them for modern technological era and work objectives. The small and large meeting rooms were upgraded for use at national level, along with the lounge for state visitors.
Phase 4 This covers the premiership of General Prem Tinsulanonda (1980-1988). At that time, Government House was facing the problem of over-crowding and insufficient office space as result of the growth that was taking place in Government House. The Royal Thai Army assisted by presenting to the government, with approval from the Cabinet, the Education Division, Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy, which occupied an area adjacent to the west wall of Government House. This phase saw the renovation of the former premises of Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy and their integration into those of the existing Government House.
Phase 5 During the premiership of the Mr. Banharn Silpa-Archa (1995-1996), the increasing numbers of government officials found themselves inadequately provided with office space. The Secretariat of the Cabinet managed to secure budgetary funds for construction of new office buildings to be sited in the compound of the former Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy.