146 years of time Mario Tamagno, the Italian architect behind the Thai royal court's architecture
        Mario Tamagno (June 19, 1877-January 1941) graduated from the Albertina Academy of Fine Arts before joining the Public Works Department on a 25-year contract with a builder and a number of Italian architects and engineers to design Bangkok to have the civilized beauty of a large European city.
Makhawan Rangsan Bridge was Tamagno's first work in Thailand. The Amporn Sathan Throne Hall and the Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall in Dusit Palace, Bang Khun Phrom Palace, Palace of Paruskwan, and Chitralada Palace, Phan Fa Lilat Bridge, Rajarit Throne Hall, Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, Phaya Thai Palace, Ministry of Commerce Building, and Ministry of Finance, as well as the design of stamps and commemorative coins in various ceremonies.
        Tamagno's works become more diverse during King Rama VI's reign. He designed Chulalongkorn Hospital, Suan Chitralada Railway Station, and several small bridges in the "Charoen" series built during King Rama I's reign, including Charoen Rat 31 Bridge, Charoen Rat 32 Bridge, Charoen Phat 33 Bridge, Charoen Sri Bridge 34, Charoen Tat Bridge 35, and Charoensawat 36 Bridge, as well as Nelson Hays Library, Ban Norasing, and Ban Banthomsin.
        When his contract expired, Tamagno and his family returned to Italy, where he worked as an architect until his death from cancer at the age of 64.

Story and illustrations: Ratchanok Thongkhawkham