The district was established by King Chulalongkorn, who wanted to escape the confines of Rattanakosin Island. The king began with the construction of a new palace compound called the Dusit Palace in 1890s, slowly adding many new residences and mansions into its grounds. This included the Vimanmek Mansion which was constructed in 1900 completely out of teak, and was used as a royal palace for a short time, but was abandoned in 1908. Reconstructed in 1992, it was a major tourist attraction until its closure in 2018. The Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall was completed in 1906, and became the main residential palace of the king. The pathway connecting the Grand Palace to Dusit Palace eventually became Ratchadamnoen Avenue. The construction of both Dusit Palace and Ratchadamnoen Avenue allowed and encouraged the expansion of Bangkok outside its city walls and the traditional confines of the Rattanakosin area. The palace expanded Bangkok northwards, while the avenue accommodated further growth. The avenue extended from the palace, starting in front of the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall and the Royal Plaza southwards along the Makawan Rangsant and Phanfah Lielas Bridges then westward across the Phanbipob Liela Bridge, then south again long the Sanam Luang to the Grand Palace. The Chitralada Royal Villa was built by King Vajiravudh, and was a residence of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The large park around the palace was used by the king for agricultural research.
Buildings
Important buildings in the district include Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, which was another former residence of King Chulalongkorn, and was later used as the first parliament building. It was built 1907–1915 by the Italian architects, Annibale Rigotti and Mario Tamagno. Next to the throne hall is the Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall, the official residence of the current monarch King Vajiralongkorn. Next to the building is Suan Amporn Park, and across the street Dusit Zoo, the first zoo in Thailand. The vast space in front of Ananta Samakom Throne Hall is the Royal Plaza. At the middle of the plaza is the equestrian statue of King Chulalongkorn. Various events are held in Suan Amporn Park and Royal Plaza. Yearly events include commencements of many universities in Bangkok, and the Red Cross Fair which takes place for nine days from the end of March to the first week of April. Important government buildings such as the Government House and Phitsanulok Mansion are also in Dusit. Wasukri Pier is the pier to board and store royal barges, which sail in Thailand's Royal Barge Procession. Near the pier is the National Library of Thailand. In addition, it is also home to several military camps: 1st Cavalry Regiment, King's Guard; 4th Cavalry Division, King's Guard; 1st Field Artillery Battalion, King's Guard; Air Defense Artillery Division; Department of Army Transportation; Army Ordnance Department; Army Ordnance Learning Center; Command And General Staff College; and some parts of Royal Thai Air Force such as the Directorate of Aeronautical Engineering. Dusit has been known as the "Military Zone". Since 1932 the National Assembly has been situation somewhere within the district. From 1932 to 1974 the legislature met at the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall. From 1974 the legislature moved to a purposefully built Parliament House and met there until 2018. Then it was moved again to a new building named the Sappaya-Sapasathan in the Kiakkai neighbourhood in the north of the district. Several other palaces have been converted into facilities for other purposes. Chan Kasem Palace was initially built for the crown prince by King Rama V, but was never used by King Rama VI and later became the office of the Ministry of Education. Suan Sunandha Palace was built for the queen, consorts, princes and princesses, but is now home to Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University. The most famous Buddhist temple of the district is Wat Benchamabophit, built by Prince Naris as the royal temple of King Chulalongkorn.
