Thai Pavilion Utanede

Chulalongkorn, Rama V of Siam, travelled through Europe in 1897 and came up the Indalsalven valley, stopping at Utanede where the local people received him - the visit is remembered in the district because it was so unexpected. In the 1990s a group here proposed a memorial and Thailand supported it: craftsmen came from Bangkok, the timber and the gilded roof elements were made in Thailand and assembled on site, and the pavilion opened in 1998 for the hundredth anniversary. It stands in a clearing in coniferous forest, which is the whole effect - a gold Thai roof over Swedish spruce country. There is a garden and a cafe in summer.

The main sights

• A gilded Thai pavilion - built by Thai craftsmen, opened 1998.
• Spruce forest around it - the contrast that makes the place.
• A memorial to the 1897 visit - Rama V up the Indalsalven.
• A garden and summer cafe - the rest of the site.

When to go

June to August, when it is staffed. An hour.

Good to know

The season is short and it is unstaffed the rest of the year. It is a single structure - the visit is brief. There is no public transport. Facilities are minimal.

Nearby

Dodda fallet is west; Sollefteå is east down the river.