For a taste of Thai history and architecture, including the chance to view national treasures pertaining to the Royal family, a visit to Sanam Chandra Palace in Nakhon Pathom province makes for a fascinating day out. Located on an 888-rai (142-hectare) plot, the palace was built in 1907 on the command of Crown Prince Chao Fah Maha Vajiravudh, who would later go on to rule the kingdom during 1910-1925 as King Vajiravudh (Rama VI).
Safe and secure
The motivation for building the palace was to establish a 'Royal capital in reserve' in case any difficulties arose that might pose a threat to national security.
The Crown Prince had been inspired to act following an incident that took place in 1893 referred to as 'Rattanakosin Era 112'. At that time, a large number of foreign warships were anchored within the Gulf of Siam, posing a grave threat to the country's independence.
The motivation behind creating a 'back up' capital also involved training civil servants combat techniques, as well as the establishment of the Wild Tiger Scout Corp.
A colorful history
When Rama VI passed away in 1925, his last will and testament stated that the palace should be passed over to the ministry of interior to be used for official functions. Other buildings and residences within the compound were subsequently used as government offices, while one of the most significant was used as Nakhom Pathom city hall. In 1996, part of the site was handed over to Silpakorn University so it could be used as a provincial campus.
While Sanam Chandra Palace came back under the care of the Bureau of the Royal Household in 2003, ordinary citizens and foreign tourists are now able to explore the palace, its exhibits (largely relating to the Royal family), as well as the various other interesting buildings within its compound.
Since the site takes the form of a small community, which includes beautiful gardens and ponds, along with a series of interconnecting bridges and roads, a one-hour tour by electric golf cart (250 baht [US$7]) offers an extremely practical solution for tourists.
Contrasting styles
A large number of Royal residences and buildings are located within the same vicinity, some connected via walkways.
Bimarn Pathom Residence connects to the Vajariromaya Residence in this way, for example, but the most noticeable feature when you see these two buildings together is their stark contrast in styles. Bimarn Pathom has a distinctly Western-style design, whereas the Vajariromaya Residence is clearly traditional in terms of its architectural style.
Royalty and religion
Bimarn Pathom Residence was the first Royal residence to be built on the site (in 1907). The property’s front balcony features beautifully-patterned tiles, facing Phra Pathom Chedi, the province’s most sacred religious site.
Although the design is Western, some specific features were provided to deal with the local climate, such as some useful passageways used to promote good ventilation.
As well as having numerous Royal bed chambers, banquet halls and living rooms, the Bimarn Pathom boasts an extraordinary Hong Phra Chao (‘Royal place of worship’ [palace altar room]). The room is pentagonal (five-sided) and features paintings of Hanuman, the half-human, half-monkey creature found in the Ramayana, seizing hold of a naga, which is a form of serpent in Buddhist mythology. Different approaches
In sharp contrast, the Vajariromaya Residence's traditional architectural form resembles a temple’s viharn (ordination hall) and includes cho fa ('gable apex') and bai raka - leaf-shaped decorative features that run around the edge of the building's triangular roof.
Built in 1917, Vajariromaya Residence was actually preceded by Samaggi Mukhamataya Hall, another nearby building that was converted from a theater pavilion into an official Throne Hall.
Two other buildings that contrast sharply from an architectural perspective are the Jalimangalasana Residence and Marirajrattaballang Residence.
The Jalimangalasana Residence resembles a small castle, featuring a combination of French Renaissance architectural styling along with some Tudor-style half timbering. The Marirajrattaballang Residence is a teak wood building, featuring carved, wooden pillars and a trapezoid-shaped Thai panya roof.
Another building called Dab Khwan perfectly illustrates a Thai nobleman's residence. The square plot with a courtyard at its center, includes four different wings, allowing different branches of the family to reside in each wing. Enchanting exhibits
In addition to the architectural attractions, a visit to Sanam Chandra Palace also allows visitors to examine a number of items belonging to members of the Royal family.
For example, you'll see a silver conch encased in a carved, wooden box, which was presented to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 2006 by Her Majesty Queen Sirikit.
In addition, there are several items that were presented to the kingdom by other countries, such as three, six-paneled wooden screens, each featuring a different paintings, which were produced in China during the reign of King Rama III (1824-1851).
Sanam Chandra Palace opens daily from 9.30 am to 4 pm. Admission is 50 baht (US$1.54) for foreigners and it should be noted that the ticket counter closes at 3.30 pm.
For further information, please contact Tel: +66 (0)34 244 236.
Transport connection:
Train: Hualamphong train station (Bangkok's central railway station) offers a rail service to Sanam Chandra Palace station, which departs at 9.20 am. The return leg leaves the palace at 5.15 pm.
source: Tannetwork.tv
