Description
A few miles down the Chao Phraya River from Ayutthaya is the Bang Pa-In Summer Palace.
The site was first used by the royal court as a summer retreat in the 17th century. However, the Palace was destroyed with the fall of the Kingdom of Ayutthaya and was restored by King Rama IV in the mid-19th century. Most of the buildings that exist today date from the reign of King Rama V, who regularly spent his summers there. The structures represent a variety of architectural styles, set in a large park around ponds and waterways.
Bang Pa-In Palace is ancient palace back to Ayutthaya era. This palace was built by King Prasart Thong and then it was rebuilt by King Mongkut after it’s abandoned for long time. The palace is divide into 2 zone one is inner zone that for royal family to use as a resting place the other zone is outer zone that open for normal people and tourist. According to Bang Pa-in Travel Guide there are a lot of place tourist can pay a visit in this palace. Hem Montein Tewa Raja Tower (King Prasart Thong Shrine). This was built in Khmer style by King Mongkut in addition to honor King Prasart Thong the one who first built this palace. Aisawan Thiphya-Asana Royal Pavilion. This royal pavilion was built by King Mongkut at the middle of palace’s basin. It is a copy of Arporn Phimok Prasart royal pavilion in Bangkok and named follow by the first royal pavilion that build by King Prasart Thong in the past. Vropas Phimarn Palace. This palace is a Greek Corinthian Order style palace. It was built for royal ceremony or welcome the royal guest. Aside from any ceremony this palace also a storage of ancient weapon, carve statue and another tribute that gift to royal family. Saphakan Ratchaprayun. This the assembly hall build at opposite of Vropas Phimarn Palace in order for royal family followers to use it as an accommodation. Tewa Raja Kunlai Gate. This a gate on top of the bridge that connect Bang Pa-In Palace inner and outer zone together.
