Bang Pa-In Palace
Bang Pa-In Palace
Location : Amhoe Bang Pa-In
A few miles down the Maenam Chao Phraya from Ayutthaya is the Bang Pa-In Summer Palace.
The site was first used by the royal court as a summer retreat in the 17th century. However,
the Palace was destroyed with the fall of Kingdom of Ayutthaya and was restored by King Rama IV
in the mid-19th century. Most of the buildings that exist today date from the reign of King Rama V,
who regularly spent his summers there. The structures represent a variety of architectural
styles, set in a large park around ponds and waterways.
The only royal residence open to the public is the Chinese-style Wehat Chamroon Palace, constructed entirely of materials
imported from China. In addition, there is an Italian-style palace, a circular pavilion
with steps leading down to a pool, the graceful Thai-style Aisawan Tippaya Asna Pavilion
in the middle of a lake, and, across one of the waterways, a Buddhist chapel in the neo-Gothic
style with stained-glass windows. Scattered around the extensive gardens are European
statues as well as monuments ordered to be built by King Rama V in memory of members
of his family, one of them a much-loved Queen who drowned in a boating accident.
Places of interest in the Bang Pa-in Palace are as follows:
Ho Hemmonthian Thewarat
is the stone Prang under a banyan tree near the pond within the outer part of the royal compound,
where an image of a deity is housed. King Rama V ordered its construction in 1879 to replace
an old shrine built by villagers as an offering to King Prasatthong of the Ayutthaya period.
Aisawanthipphaya - At Pavilion
Aisawanthipphaya - At Pavilion
A Thai design pavilion in the middle of the pond was built in the reign of King Rama V.
Originally built of wood throughout, King Rama VI commanded to change the floor and pillars to be reinforced concrete.
Warophatphiman Hall
It is north of the“Saphan Sadet” the royal path to and from the river landing.
Formerly the two-storey wooden villa was used as both the royal living quarters and Throne Hall.
Later during his reign, King Rama V commanded the original one to be demolished and
replaced with a European design building to be used as the Throne Hall to receive
his subjects for royal ceremonies. In this hall are paintings of the royal historic
records, Inao literature, Phra Aphai Mani literature and the Ramayana epic.
Warophatphiman Hall
Saphakhan Ratchaprayun
This two-storey building on the river bank outside the palace wall was constructed by the royal command of King Rama V.
It is in front of Warophat Phiman Hall in the south and was used as the living quarter of the non-consort members.
Phra Thinang Utthayan Phumisathian
is a 2-story elaborately constructed building, which is tinted alternately in dark and light green,
located to the east, opposite the pond. Its balcony is similar in design to that of a Swiss chalet.
Before being destroyed by fire during the restoration in 1938, the whole building was built from wood
and decorated with mahogany furniture ordered directly from Europe.
Phra Thinang Utthayan Phumisathian
Theatre
This theatre was constructed by the royal command of King Rama VI in the compound of his consort’ s
living quarters near the pond in the garden west of Utthayan Phumisathian Hall.
Wehat Chamrun Hall
This hall located in the north of the palace, was constructed in the Chinese Emperor
style as the royal offering by Phraya Choduk Ratchasetthi (Fak).
King Chulachomklao usually made a royal visit during the cool season.
Keng Buppha Praphat
Is the Chinese-style pavilion nearby the garden’s pond within the inner part of the royal compound.
It was built in 1881 during the reign of King Rama V.
Ho Witthunthassana
This hall, constructed in the form of a tower between Utthayan Phumisathian and Wehat Chamrun,
is a three-storey building having a spirit staircase leading to the top floor hall. When residing
in Bang Pa-In Palace, King Rama V used this hall as the place to get the bird's eye view of the surrounding area.
Monument of Queen Sunantha
This is a 3 metre high hexagonal marble building, situated on the east side of the royal palace.
It was constructed to keep the ashed of the affectionate consort of King Rama V
(Somdet Phranangchao Sunantha Kumarirat).
Anusawari Rachanuson
Anusawari Rachanuson
Anusawari Rachanuson or Monument of Phra-Akkharachayathoe Phra-Ong Chao Saowaphak Narirat and 3 Royal Children
is the marble relief memorial that King Rama V , with his deep sorrow,
ordered to be constructed in 1888 to commemorate his beloved consort
(Phra-Akkharachayathoe Phra-Ongchao Saowaphak Narirat) and 3 royal children
who passed away at different times of the same year, 1887.
These portraits stand nearby the memorial of Somdet Phranangchao Sunantha Kumarirat.
Bang Sai Royal Folk Arts and Craft Centre
Location : Amhoe Bang Sai
Bang Sai Royal Folk Arts
Located on the left bank of the Chao Phraya River in Tambon Bueng Yai, Amphoe Bang Sai.
Farmers from Ayutthaya as well as from other provinces undergo training in folk arts and
crafts here. At this centre, you will have a glimpse of how farmers in the four regions
live and work ; how their products of arts and crafts are produced. The centre is
under the Promotion of Supplementary Occupations and Related Techniques (SUPPORT)
which was established under Royal Patronage on the 21st July, 1976. Products and
activities which can be seen here are Fern Vien Basketry, Weaving Basketry,
Artificial Flowers, Hand-Woven Silk and Cotton, Silk Dyeing, Wood Carving,
Miniature Hand - Modeled Thai Dolls, Furniture Making, Cloth-Made Products, etc.
All the products are sold at the Centre and in every branch of Chitralada Store.
Sala Phra Ming Khwan
Sala Phra Ming Khwan is a 4-storey applied Thai building with 4 porches,
towering in the heart of the Bang Sai Royal Folk Arts and Crafts Centre.
The first floor houses arts and crafts demonstration and shops displaying
as well as selling products from the Centre and other arts and crafts
centres throughout the country. The second and third floors exhibit the
Centre’s masterpieces of the arts and crafts products, and the fourth floor
accommodates meetings and seminars.
Open daily during 9.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.
on weekdays and 9.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m. on holidays. Admission is free.
Sala Phra Ming Khwan
Arts and Crafts Training Buildings
They are situated in the heart of the Centre and comprise various divisions
of arts and crafts. The Centre currently provides 29 divisions of arts and
crafts training for farmers from all regions of the country to be their
supplementary occupations out of the farming season. Visitors can have a
look at all stages of the elaborate arts and crafts production.
Open daily between 9.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. during training periods.
One Thousand-armed Kwan Yin Bodhisattva
The 6-metre high image of the one thousand-armed Kwan Yin Bodhisattva was
carved out of yellow sandalwood and presented to His Majesty King Bhumibol
Adulyadej on the auspicious occasion of his 6th cycle birthday anniversary
by Mr. Tu Zhia on behalf of the Chinese people. His Majesty had the image
enshrined in a temporary shrine at the elephant pavilion – Sala Rong
Chang - within the Centre for the public to pay respect daily during 9.00 a.m.–5.00 p.m.
Phra Tamnak
is a royal residence for Their Majesties the King and the Queen
and their royal children built into a traditional Thai house of
Central Thailand with an open basement, using construction
materials available locally and surrounded by a beautiful
garden and miniature waterfall.
Wang Pla
is an aquarium displaying freshwater fish constructed and administered
by the Department of Fisheries. The main building contains two large
aquariums; one is of a bean shape with a capacity of 1,400 tons,
the other of a round shape with a capacity of 600 tons, both
accommodating various species of freshwater fish native to Thailand.
Open during 10.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. and closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Suan Nok
is a bird park operated by the Wildlife Fund Thailand under
the Royal Patronage of H.M. the Queen. There are two large
aviaries providing nests for more than 30 species of rare
birds within natural-like environments including an artificial
stream and waterfall as well as forest. There is a suspension
bridge for visitors to have a look and take photos of the
birds from on top of the aviaries. Other wild animals are
also to be seen nearby. Opening: Tue - Sun 9.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.
Arts and Crafts Village
The establishment of this village was supported by the Tourism Authority
of Thailand (TAT) in order to showcase different aspects of architecture
of the Thai houses in various regions of the country as well as their
ways of living and culture. Lifestyle and handicraft demonstrations
are provided daily between 8.30 a.m.–5.00 p.m. on weekdays and 9.00 a.m.–7.00 p.m.
on weekends. Thai classical dances and folk entertainment of the 4 regions
are performed during 4.30–5.30 p.m. on weekends and national holidays.
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