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The tourist website about Thailand by Thaiways magazine, the most comprehensive guide to Thailand. |
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Hua Hin &
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 Phetchaburi
is 123 km from Bangkok. It is an excellent choice for those who look for
a place of recreation within a short distance. Apart from its attractive
natural beauty, especially that found in Kaeng Krachan National Park, it
boasts three royal palaces -- Phra Nakhon Khiri, Ramrajnives and Mrigadayavan.
In this article, I will deal only with Mrigadayavan which comprises three
charming beachside groups of wooden pavilions used as a summer palace by
King Rama VI (King Vajiravudh, 1910-1925).One fine day under a clear azure sky I joined a press tour organized by TAT to Mrigadayavan Palace in Phetchaburi Province. Once the palace appeared in my sight, I suddenly realized the meaning of an intrinsic relaxation. This is due to the wisdom of the architects, including King Rama VI himself, who designed the palace to be comfy, cosy and elegant. While visual observation is a real feast for the eyes, getting to know the background of the palace will add more appreciation to your visit.
Mrigadayavan was known as the palace of love and hope because when Queen Indrasakdi Sachi was pregnant, King Vajiravudh was extremely hopeful in anticipation of an heir. The king took great care of her throughout her pregnancy. Regrettably, the queen miscarried. King Vajiravudh finally got a daughter, Princess Bejaratana, born to Phra Nang Chao Suvadhana just one day before he passed away.
Mrigadayavan Palace consists of 16 golden teak buildings which are divided into 3 groups. All are linked together throughout the palace by verandas on stilts. Details of each group of buildings are as follows: 1. Samoson Sevakamataya Group of Buildings This group of buildings is part of the front court where official business was dealt with. Both men and women worked together there. It consists of a pavilion-like theatre, an audience hall, an office for the Royal Aide-de-Camp General and a room for night duty chamberlains. Looking around, seeing the delicate fretwork and other decorations of the palace, I saluted the craftsmanship of the artisans whose dedication was put together to create the palace's glory. 2. Bisansagara Group of Buildings This group of buildings was the king's personal residence. It consists of a Royal Suite which has an office, a bedroom, a dressing room, and a bathroom. Inside the bedroom, there stands a four-post bed with a white canopy. The office, in which King Rama VI loved to sit and compose his poetical works at night, now accommodates only a desk and chair once used by the king. Nearby this group of buildings are lodges for royal pages, next to which is a royal kitchen. From this group of buildings, at the end of the verandas on stilts, I saw a beach pavilion whose roof supports a cross-like post. The post was not intended as a symbol of any religion. Instead, it was used as an indicator of the king's activities. That is, when the yellow lantern was on, it meant that the king would be ready to grant an audience. And when the green lantern was shown, it was known that the king was not in residence. 3. Samudabiman Group of Buildings The Samudabiman group of buildings constitutes the inner court of the palace where men except the king were forbidden to enter. It served as the residence for HM Queen Indrasakdi Sachi. In the same cluster are buildings for her sister and her entourage, a dining pavilion and a beach pavilion. King Vajiravudh usually had his Thai-style lunch at the dining pavilion in the inner court. The palace had been neglected since King Rama VI passed away in 1925. It was not until 1965 that King Bhumibol, the present king, ordered the palace to be renovated.
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