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Touring the temple
Wat Suwandaram
This is a chakri dynasty royal
temple, an Ayutthaya period temple which had been beautifully
restored and preserved. The walls of the main chapel have
foundations the dip in the centre, typical architecture of that
time. Delicately carved columns support the roof. Inside walls are
decorated with brilliantly coloured frescoes. It remains in use as a
temple today.
Wat Chaiwatthanaram
This monastery is located on
the bank of the Chao Phraya river to the west of the city island. It
was built by the royal command of King Prasat Thong. The existing
main Prang and pagodas around the corners are still in good shape.
Ancient Palace
This was originally built by
King U-Thong. During the reign of King Barom Trailokkanat and later
kings, several new buildings were added, including Wat Phra Si
Sanphet. Notable buildings are Wihan Somdet Pavilion, Sanphet Prasat
Pavilion, Suriyat Amarin Pavilion, Chakkrawat Phaichayon Pavilion,
Banyon Ratanat Pavilion and The Tri Muk Building. These pavilions
were completely destroyed in 1767, leaving only brick foundations,
porticoes and walls. The Tri Muk Buildking, a wooden structure with
a brick foundation, was rebuilt in its original style at the command
of King Chulalongkorn in 1907.
Bang Pa-In palace
Bang Pa-In Palace is located
in Tambon BanLen, Amphoe Bang Pa-In, 18 kilometers south of Ayutthaya
township. It lies 58 kilometers north of Bangkok rail, 61 kilometers
by road. To access to Bany Pa-In from Ayutthaya one can go by
Phahonyothin road and make a right turn at Km.35 for another
distance of 7 kilometers to the Bang Pa-In Palace. The palace
is open to the public everyday from 8.30-16.00 hrs. Admission
fee is 50 baht per person.
Originally, there was a riverine
island. When Prasat Thong became the Ayutthaya king (1630-1655),
he had the Chumphon Nikayaram Temple built on his family estate.
Later he had a palace built on a lake in the middle of the island
where he could periodically reside.
The palace, surrounded by a
lake 400 meters wide, and the Chumphon Nikayaram Temple, are
all that remain of King Prasat Thong's construction work at Bang
Pa-In.
Bang Pa-In was used as a country
residence by every Ayutthayan monarch after King prasat Thong.
But when the new capital was established in Bangkok, Bang Pa-In
ceased to be used and was left unoccupied for 80 years. It was
only during King Mongkut's reign (1851-1868) that Bang Pa-In
was again visited by kings. King Mongkut stayed there and had
a house built in the old palace's compound.
His son, King Chulalongkorn
(1868-1910) liked the place, stayed there every year and constructed
the royal palace as it is now seen today. The palace contains
five important buildings as follows :
- Phra Thinang Aisawan
Thippa-at Thai design
castle pavilion stands in the middle of the lake, replacing a
former building of the same name erected by King Prasat Thong.
- Phra Thinang Warophat
Phiman to the north
of "Saphan Sadet" (the royal path to the river landing),
occupies the original site of the Pavilion built during King
Mongkut's reign. It was two storeyed. One used as the King's
apartments, the other as a reception hall. When the court was
transferred to another building, the decaying pavilion was demolished
and replaced by the new European design building which now serves
as a hall for state ceremonies.
- Phra Thinang Uthayan
Phumisathian was
almost totally destroyed by fire in 1938. Formerly used as a
high water season residence, only a few bricks remain.
- Phra Thinang Wehat
Chamrun is a Chinese-style
building where the court generally resided during the rainy and
cool seasons.
- Phra Thinang Withun
Thatsana is an observatory
standing on a small island between Phra Thinang Uthayan and Phra
Thinang Wehat Chamrun from which a commanding view of surrounding
countryside can be enjoyed.
Touring the Temple 1 2
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