Wang Lee Mansion

The Wang Lee House, as seen from the Chee Chin Khor pagoda.

The main entrance of the house.

 
Adjoining the Chee Chin Khor Moral Uplifting Society on the banks of the Chaophraya river is the Wang Lee Mansion. The old Chinese styled house was once one of many large houses built by Chinese immigrants in the nineteenth century who came to the growing commercial center of Siam to trade.

The traditionally styled courtyard house is one of the very few remaining examples of of these houses, which were once numerous in the Thonburi area. Although the others have been torn down or fallen into disrepair, the Wang Lee clan has maintained the mansion in reasonably good condition.

The house is flanked by godowns leading down to the river's edge. Next to the house is another large courtyard of warehouses and godowns, some of which have already been 'gentrified' for a new generation.

The house is not open to the public, and in fact the security guard will ask you not to take photographs if he notices you. The best view of the house may well be the one you get from the top of the pagoda in the Chee Chin Khor temple next door.

Getting There

Although directly next to the Chee Chin Khor Moral Uplifting Sociey temple, 'you can't get there from here' as the saying goes. You must return to Somdet Chaophraya Road and walk down to Chiang Mai Road. The entrance to the house's riverside courtyard is through the adjoining collection of old Chinese-styled godowns. See our map of Klong San for more information.

 

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