Thailand - Ayutthaya Province
- Bang Pa-in Palace

Only 35 km south of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, about 45 km north of Bangkok in Central Thailand's Ayutthaya province at Amphoe Bang Pa In is the Bang Pa-in Royal summer palace. This is another of the must see sights of Thailand. Bang Pa-in summer palace is open from 0830 to 1530 daily - including weekends and public holidays. We recommend that you take a full leisurely day out there - take a picnic lunch - hire a golf cart (400 Baht) - and enjoy! If you can't afford to take a whole day then just think on - you can not get round this vast palace grounds, see everything and take it all in in an hour and especially not on foot!

The palace has a history going back to the 17th century when the usurper King Prasat Thong had a palace built on the island of Bang Pa-in in the Chao Phraya River where he had lived as a child. The king first had a monastery that was known as Wat Chumphon Nikayaram. The palace was in use until the fall of Ayutthaya .

The land became neglected and overgrown but in 1807 the Poet Laureate of Thailand told King Rama IV (King Mongkut) what he knew of Bang Pa-in island and what he had seen there. The king had a temporary residence built on the island that later became Wat Niwet Thamprawat.

The present day palace dates from the reign of King Rama V (King Chulalongkorn). Most of the present palace dates only from the late 1800's and are only used by the royal family for holding receptions and banquets - occasionally as a summer residence.

Ho Withun Thavna - The sages lookout - was built in 1881 (Ho means tower in Thai) as a viewing platform for King Chulalongkorn. There is a good view of the surrounding countryside from the upper platforms. The Ho is decorated in two of the three traditional basic colours of Thailand - red and yellow (green being the third). This striking building can be seen from all around the palace grounds.

Below - Picture of Phra Thinang Wehart Chamrun.

Phra Thinang Wehart Chamrun - The royal residence of heavenly light is a two story Chinese style mansion. The mansion was a gift from the Chinese (business) people of Thailand. With oversized furniture and delicate fretwork friezes on walls, columns and some windows. The ground floor has a throne room and many decorative artworks and furniture all presented by the Chinese immigrants of Thailand.

Ho Hem Monthian Thewarat - The Golden Palace of the God King, overlooking one of the ornamental lakes near the entrance to the palace is only a small stone corn cob shaped building standing at about 4 metres. The style of the building (left) is that of a Khmer-style "Prasat" or residence of God. There is a small Buddha statue inside that has many offerings every day.

Phra Thinang Aisawan Thiphya-Art - The divine seat of personal freedom. This Thai style Thai-style royal pavilion (right) has four entrance porches and a fine spire and roof. Positioned in the middle of an outer pond. Built in 1876 it is a copy of the Phra Thinang Aphonphimok Prasat in the Grand Palace, Bangkok. - The pavilion now houses a statue of its patron King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) 1868 - 1910 - in the uniform of a Field Marshal.

Phra Thinang Uthayan Phumisathian - Garden of the Secured Land. The favourite residence of King Chulalongkorn when he stayed at the summer palace, two or three times a year. The original building dates from 1877, made of wood in the style of a Swiss chalet. The building burnt down in 1938 and was replicated in 1996. The topiary hares growing on the lawn across the water from the main entrance are representations of the Lord Buddha reincarnated.

There is a Royal Floating House attached to the bank of the Chao Phraya River within the Bang Pa-in Palace area. Royal Floating House attached to the bank of the Chao Phraya River

Phra Thinang Warophat Phiman - Excellent and Shining Heavenly Abode is a neo-classical royal residence and throne hall. Building the Phra Thinang (royal residence) started in 1888 and has lavish private apartments. This building is a favourite residence of the present King and Queen and is used by them whenever they are residing at the Bang Pa-in Summer Palace.