While the gardens are open to the public, Prasart puts more store by their educational role for locals and foreigners alike and by a student scholarship scheme he has set up. "I hope younger generation will learn about their history so they can be more proud of their country and be interested to preserve their culture," adds Prasart.

Visitors to Bangkok tired of shopping malls and common tourist spots will be grateful for the sensual indulgence and calmness of bygone era that these gardens inspire -- an experience increasingly hard to come by in Asian cities today.

The Prasart Museum and Gardens is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and costs $12.50, but admission is by appointment only, and usually requires one to two days notice. It is located at 9 Soi Krungthepkreetha 4A, Krungthepkreetha Road, Huamark, Bangkapi, Bangkok. Call 66-2-379-3601 or 379-3607.

Although Thailand is the only country in the region that has not been colonized, Western influence was greatly felt and appreciated in the country during the turn of the century. This colonial style building (above) is the pre-eminent building in the museum complex creating a visual contrast to the vernacular Thai style architecture.

Traditional Thai architecture from the North, has been replicated in the form of gracious exhibiting pavilions, carefully positioned within the gardens to evoke a sense of national pride. Each of the garden's pavilion houses a different collection of cultural artifacts such as textiles, ceramics and Buddhist sculptures, paintings, silver, and furniture. Below: An artificial waterfall spilling into a pool of ornamental carp in one of the secluded areas of the garden.