Phra Nakhon Kheeree Palace (The Royal Palaces and Halls)

Phra Nakhon Kheeree Palace
(The Royal Palaces and Halls)

     King Mongkut (Rama IV) had Phra Nakhon Kheeree built as a summer palace to be used as dministrative headquarters when he visited that part of the country. The palace was situated on a range of three peaks. It was originally named Khao Mahasawan by King Mongkut but was later changed to Khao Mahaisawan. The road leading up to Phra Nakhon Kheeree was constructed of brick and mortar enable vehicles and horses to get right up to Phet Phoom Phairot Hall. It is now a museum open to the public.

     The architectural style is Neo Classic blended with Thai and Chinese styles. The buildings are made of brick and mortar, there are three groups of structures: Wat Phra Kaew Noi is on the eastern peals;  Phra That Chom Phet is on the central peak and on the western peak are a group of palaces laid out on a pattern similar to that of the Grand Palace.

    Phra Nakhon Kheeree Palace has the following structures;

    Phet Phoom Phairot Hall, an audience chamber;

    Pramote Mahaisawan Residential Hall, King Mongkut's residence;

    Chachawan Wiangchai Tower, an astronomical observatory for studying astrology and astronomy. This tower has great historical value. From the top of the tower, it is possible to see almost all of Petchaburi.

    Besides the palaces, there are other buildings such as Wechayan Wichien Prasat, RajaThammasapha and Santhakharnsathan.

    Phra Nakhon Kheeree Palace was used as an administrative'center for that part of the country. Both King Mongkut and King Chulalongkorn were fond of the palace and often went to reside there.

    King Chulalongkorn had the palace repaired and renovated as a resort and used it to receive important foreign visitors.

    H.M.King Bhumibol has instructed that the palace be renovated and it has now been declared an important site by the Department of Fine Arts.

Constructed in the Fourth Reign, 1859-1862
Located at Khoo Wang, Muong District, Phctchaburi Province
Tel. +663242-5600,  +663240-1006

Tag : Phra Nakhon Kheeree Palace / The Royal Palaces and Halls / Grand Palace


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Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall (The Royal Palaces and Halls)

Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall
(The Royal Palaces and Halls)

     Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall was constructed to serve as a reception hall for important foreign guests and for important national assemblies and ceremonies. It has served as the House of Representatives and was used during the declaration of the First Thai Constitution, on December 10th, 1932. Ananta Samakhom is now used for royal and state ceremonies.

     The building, designed by an Italian architect, is in the Renaissance style. The two-storey building is topped by a large dome at the center, and six smaller domes. The domes are based on the design of the dome at St. Peter's in Rome. The building is constructed of reinforced columns and has brick walls. The outer walls are faced with marble slabs. The  window and doorsills are wooden. The skylights are covered with glass and rimmed with marble.

      The central chamber below the centre dome is used for official functions and ceremonies. Inside it is a copy of the Manangkhasila Throne under a nine-tier umbrella of state.

     Beautiful mural paintings adorn the ceiling of each dome. In addition, the central dome has King Chulalongkorn's initials inscribed in gold, to commemorate his initiative in ordering its construction.

     Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall was built to replace the original building of that name in the Grand Palace which had become very dilapidated. Near the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall is King Chulalongkorn's equestrian statue.

Constructed in the Fifth Reign, 1907 and completed in the Sixth reign, 1915
Located at Dusit Palace, Uthong Nai Road, Dusit District, Bangkok
Tel. +662282-9478

Tag : Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall / The Royal Palaces and Halls / The Halls / Residential Hall


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Sivarnok Phimarn Throne Hall (The Royal Palaces and Halls)

Sivarnok Phimarn Throne Hall
(The Royal Palaces and Halls)

     Sivamok Phimarn Throne Hall forms a part of the Boworn Sathan Mongkhon Palace, or Palace of the Front. HRH Prince Mahasurasinghanart had the Sivamok Phimarn Throne Hall built as an audience chamber and for the performance of other royal ceremonies.

     Sivamok Phimarn is now a part of the national museum and houses pre-historical exhibits as well as exhibits relating to the Sukhothai, Ayutthaya and Ratanakosin periods. 

     The one-storey brick building is in Thai style, with a tiled roof and decorated with chor fa, bai raka and hang hong. The gables are decorated with lacquer and gold leaf on a colored glass base. The eastern gable depicted Narai riding a garuda while the western gable depicted Brahma riding hong (phoenix). 

     Sivamok Phimarn is an audience hall similar to the Song Puen Throne Hall in the Ayutthaya period. Hence it is also called "Song Puen Throne Hall"

     HRH Prince Mahasurasinghanart had the Sivamok Phiman Throne Hall built at the same time as King Rama I was building Bangkok as the capital. The hall was initially used for holding royal audiences and making merit. Later, the royal audience function was removed to Phra Wimarn Throne Hall. Sivamok Phimarn continued to be used for royal merit making ceremonies.

     The original Sivamok Phimarn had been built of wood. In the Third Reign, HRH Princess Mahasakdi Pholasep ordered it to be enlarged and rebuilt with bricks. It was still designed as an audience chamber, with walls on the south and west sides. Later, walls were completed on all four sides.

     In 1887, in the Fifth Reign, Sivamok Phimarn Throne Hall was turned into a museum and used as the Wajirayan library for housing Thai manuscripts and stone inscriptions.

Constructed in the First Reign, 1782
Located at the National Museum, Na Phra That Road, Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok
Tel. +662224-1370

Tag : Sivarnok Phimarn Throne Hall / Halls / The Hall / The Royal Palaces and Halls

Phutthaisawan Buddha Image Hall (The Royal Palaces and Halls)

Phutthaisawan Buddha Image Hall
(The Royal Palaces and Halls)

     Phutthaisawan Buddha Image Hall formed the front part of Boworn Sathan Mongkhon Palace and was originally called Sutthasawan Buddha Image Hall. It now constitutes part of the National Museum.

      The hall contains beautiful mural  painting stories from t h e life of the Buddha and a group of celestial beings (Thep Chumnum), rare examples of the works of the original Rattan a Kosin artists . The front verandah serves as a ramp for mou nting the royal elephants. The ramp houses a statue of Phra Narai  Song Puen, which King Chulalongkorn had cast in bronze and which was to be placed in front of Ban Puen Palace in Petchaburi Province. However, the casting was not completed until the end of the reign, when it was installed at its present location at Putthaisawan Buddha Image Hall.

Nongkhran Samosorn Hall (The Royal Palaces and Halls)

Nongkhran Samosorn Hall
The Royal Palaces and Halls

     Nongkhran Samosorn Hall was built to serve as a hall for use by all members of royalty, and was originally a part of Suan Sunandha Palace. It is now an office of the Department of Local Administration, Ministry of the Interior.

     The one-storey building is in the Renaissance style. Viewed from the outside, it appears to be of two storeys. The building is painted cream with pink roof. On the upper parts, there are rows of pointed arch windows on all sides. Below there are doors on all sides opening onto the verandah that runs around the building. The ceilings and mantel over the doors are decorated with Western-style murals.

     Suan Sunandha was the residence of consorts and princesses. Nongkhran Samosorn Hall was used as the meeting hall and private dining rooms. The building could be used for functions by any member of royalty and was not considered the pro pert y of anyone in particular.

     Part of Suan Sunandha is now Rajaphat Institute Suan Sunandha while the Nongkhran Samosorn Hall, once used as the Bangkok City Hall, has become an office of the Department of Local Administration.

Constructed in the Sixth Reign, 1914
Located at the Department of Local Administration, Interior Ministry, Ratchasima Road, Dusit District, Bangkok
Tel. +662 2 2 1 -015 1-2

Tag: Hall / The Halls / Nongkhran Samosorn Hall / Residential Hall


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Suan kularb Residential Hall (The Royal Palaces and Halls)

Suan kularb Residential Hall
(The Royal Palaces and Halls in Bangkok) 

     H.M.King Chulalongkorn had Suan kularb Residential Hall built for HRH Prince Asdangdechavudh. On the eastern side of the hall is Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall. The hall was named Suan kularb, or rose garden. At present, it is used as a gallery for paintings by H.M. the King.

     The two-storey brick building is in the Western style. The building is painted in a light yellow color, while the roof tiles are red. The interior is beautifully decorated.

     King Rama VI expanded the grounds of Suan kularb and added more buildings. HRH Prince Nakhon Ratchasima lived here until his death in 1924.

     The hall was later used by the office for internal security, and later for other departments of the army. On 17th December, 1996, the army returned Suan kularb to the supervision of the Bureau of the Royal Household.

      Since 28th December, 1999, paintings by HM the King have been put on display at Suan kularb Residential Hall.

Constructed in the Fifth Reign
Located at Dusit Palace, Uthong Road, Dusit District, Bangkok
Tel. +662282-6246-7

Note: H.M.King Chulalongkorn = Fifth Reign = Rama V :  Chulalongkorn : Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poraminthra Maha Chulalongkorn Phra Chunla Chom Klao Chao Yu Hua

Tag : Suan kularb Residential Hall / The Hall / Hall / Phra Tamnak / Tamnak

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The Grand Palace in Thailand

The Grand Palace in Thailand

     There are several classes of palaces in Thailand. The Grand Palace is the main palace of the monarch. This was constructed by King Rama I as his residence, the center of administration of the kingdom, and as the center of royal ceremonies. During the early Ratanakos in period, this palace was called Phra Ratchwang Luang In the Fourth Reign, it was renamed Phra Borom Moho Rotchawang or the Grand Palace. Nowadays, it serves mainly as the center of royal ceremonies and as a center for receiving foreign dignitaries.

Phra Ratchawang is also a royal palace, but of lower status than Phra Borom Moho Ratchawan g It is also the residence of a monarch, and a palace that is designated as Phra Ratchawang must be declared to be so by a royal decree. Up to now, 19 such palaces has been declared Phra Ratchawang such as Boworn Satharn Mongkol Palace , Sanam Chan Palace, etc.

Daeng Residential Hall (The Royal Palaces and Halls)

Daeng Residential Hall
(The Royal Palaces and Halls in Bangkok)

     Daeng Residential Hall formed a part of the Grand Palace. Permission to construct it as the residence  of his elder sister, HRH Princess Sri Sudarak was granted by King Rama I (Phraphutthayotfa Chulalok).

     Daeng Residential  Hall  now forms a  part of the National Museum and displays the personal effects of H.M.Queen  Sri Suriyendra, queen of the Second Reign, and other articles of the early Bangkok  period.

     The one-storey wooden building  is in the Thai architectural style with a tile roof and decorated with chor fa, bai raka, hang hong and nak sadung.

      HRH Princess Sri Sudarak lived at Daeng Residential Hall her entire life. Later, it became the residence of H.M.Queen Sri Suriyendra and H.M. King Pin-klao, her son.

      In the Third  Reign, H.M.Queen Sri Suriyendra went to live at Doem Palace in Thon Buri and King  Rama  III (Phra Bat Somdet Phra Nangklao Chao Yu Hua) ordered to transfer Daeng Residential Hall  there.

      In the Fourth reign, H.M.K ing Pin-klao ordered Daeng Residential Hall, which had once been his residence, to be transferred to Boworn Sathan Mon gkhon Palace. Seventy years later, Daeng Residential   Hall had become very dilapidated, but it was restored using money donated by Queen Savang Vadhana, paternal grand-mother of King Rama IX (King Bhumibol Adulyadej), for its renovation.

      In 1967 the Department of Fine Arts transferred Daeng Residential Hall to the front p art of the palace complex, carried out further renovations and now uses it as a museum.

Constructed in the First Reign, 1782 - King Rama I (Phraphutthayotfa Chulalok)
Located at the Nation al Museum, Na Phra That Road, Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok.
Tel. +662224-1370