Cover
story
: 10
Mar 06
|
Vol.
22 No. 23 |
Palaces
in
Bangkok
|
| By
Dararai |
| |
As Thailand has been a monarchy since
ancient time, it is natural to find many old palaces scattered
throughout its capital and major towns in provinces like Nakhon
Pathom and Phetchaburi. In Bangkok, important palaces have been
registered as national heritages and have undergone maintenance
to preserve their good conditions. Some of them are opened to
the public to allow people, especially the younger generations
to learn about lives in the past.
Chakri Mahaprasat Throne Hall
|
There are many royal palaces in Bangkok but Thaiways has selected
only five that are magnificent and open to the public to be
introduced to you. They are all beautiful historical attractions
worth visiting.
Dusit Mahaprasat Hall is used
to
house corpses of the members of the Royal family before
the cremation and is where high-rank officials receive
decorations from HM King Bhumibol |
1. The
Grand Palace
The Grand Palace is probably the place most frequently visited
by foreigners. It was built on the east side of the Chao Phraya
River after King Rama I ascended the throne as the founder of
the Chakri Dynasty on 6 April 1782. At present it is the place
for royal ceremonies. It comprises several gorgeous throne halls
such as Borommaphiman Throne Hall, Amarinthara Winitchai Throne
Hall and Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall.
When entering the tourist gate,
on your left is the Temple of
the Emerald Buddha. |
The last one is a 3-storey building.
Its top covering is pure Thai with tapering spires and tiered
sloping roofs, and the lower parts are in Imperial Victorian
style.
Garuda a mythological bird,
is a symbol of the King.
|
Besides, the temple of the Emerald Buddha housing the most highly
revered Buddha image of the same name is located in its compound.
Its awesome aesthetic value may make you stunned.
Location: Na Phralan
Road Opening hours: Daily 08:30-15:30 Admission:
Foreigners 250 baht. Flip-flops and shorts are not
allowed.
The Grand Palace and the Temple
of the Emerald Buddha at night |
2. The Vimanmek Mansion
Vimanmek is well known as the world's largest golden teakwood
mansion which has been made a museum devoted exclusively to
the memory of King Chulalongkorn who built it in 1900.
Vimanmek Mansion |
The mansion was built entirely of golden teakwood except the
octagonal compartment where the King lived, which has four storeys.
It is in the shape of the letter "L" extending 60
metres on both sides. The widest part is 35 metres and the height
from floor to roof-top is 28 metres. What is amazing is that
all the pieces of wood forming the building were mortised together
without the use of a single nail except the flooring.
The interior of Vimanmek Mansion
|
After the King
passed away, the mansion was left uninhabited except for a
few months in 1925, when it was occupied by a consort of King
Rama VI.
Suan Si Ruedu (four seasons)
mansion is in the same compound of
Vimanmek Mansion. |
Then in 1982, Queen
Sirikit obtained King Bhumibol's permission to have the mansion
thoroughly renovated and restored to its former glory and
opened it as a museum to commemorate King Rama and to serve
as a showcase for the Thai national heritage for future generations.
A delicate hand-made work
of
art exhibited at Vimanmek Mansion |
Location:
Ratchawithi Road Opening hours: Daily 09:30-15:15
Admission: Thais 75 baht; Foreigners 100
baht.
|
3.
The Ananta Samakhom Hall
The hall was created from marble by
the command of King Rama V with the objective to make it a throne
hall to receive guests and conduct meetings about state affairs.
However, the building was not completed until the reign of King
Rama VI (1910-1925). It was converted into the Parliament Building
in 1932. After the new Parliament Building was created behind
it, the Ananta Samakhom Hall has been used for royal and important
state ceremonies.
Ananta Samakhom Hall |
Besides its magnificent architectural
style, on the dome ceilings of the Ananta Samakhom Hall there
are artistic paintings depicting important royal meritorious
acts of the six Thai Kings from Rama I to Rama VI.
Location: U-thong Nai Road Opening
hours: Daily 09:30-15:15 Admission:
Thais 75 baht; Foreigners 100 baht
A painting in Ananta Samakhom
Hall
depicting the abolition of
slavery by King Chulalongkorn |
4. The Old Thon Buri Palace
It was built in 1768 after Phraya Tak succeeded in expelling
the Burmese invading army and founded a new capital in Thon
Buri, from where he ruled Siam as King Taksin. The palace served
as the residence of the King for 14 years. After his death in
1782, it continued to be used by King Rama I of the new Chakri
Dynasty until the Grand Palace was constructed across the Chao
Phraya River.
The Old Thon Buri Palace
|
The palace was then used as a residence
of several members of the royal family of high ranks until the
reign of King Rama V who allowed the palace to be used as the
site of the Naval Academy. There are several buildings in the
compound such as King Taksin's Shrine and a Chinese pavilion.
Items in King Taksin Museum
in the same
compound of the Old Thon Buri Palace
|
The architectural style of the palace is an impressive mixture
of Thai and Chinese arts. The first Western architectural royal
residence ever found in the country is also here. It is King
Pinklao's Residence. The palace was recognised by UNESCO in
2004 as a cultural heritage.
Inside King Taksin Museum
|
Location: Wang Doem Road Opening Hours:
Monday-Friday 08:30-16:00 Admission: Open for
groups only. A permission must be obtained in advance. Please
contact your travel agent.
An antique on display
at
Suan Pakkad Palace |
5. The Suan Pakkad Palace
Amidst the din in the heart of Bangkok on Si Ayutthaya Road,
is located a peaceful and shadey place in an area of 6 rai (9,600
sq.m.) called Suan Pakkad, a palace turned museum. Before the
construction of the palace, the site was a commercial cabbage
garden -- hence, its unusual name which means Cabbage Garden.
Suan Pakkad Palace Museum is considered among the most magnificent
buildings in the country. The palace formerly belonged to HRH
Prince Chumbhot Paribatra of Nagara Svarga, a grandson of King
Rama V (1868-1910) and M.R. Pantip Paribatra.
Since both of them were fond of antiquities, they had collected
a large quantity of antiques and works of art. With the objective
to preserve their valuable collections, they then opened their
scenic residence in 1962 to the public, to view their collections
including priceless objects from the pre-historic to the contemporary
period.
Antiques and works of art exhibited
at Suan Pakkad Palace |
Location: Si Ayutthaya Road Opening
Hours: Daily 09:00-16:00 Admission:
Thais 50 baht; Foreigners 100 baht
If you are interested in visiting any of the above palaces,
you may be required to contact the authorities concerned in
advance in case some palaces are during renovation or the opening
hours are changed. However, many travel agencies specialize
in city tours and you can contact them to set a sight-seeing
tour for you.
|
