If you are heading to Ayutthaya, the neighbourhood of the Royal Palace of Bang Pa-In will be an ideal stopover. The palace is easy to locate with a number of buildings surrounding a large park. It is said to have been a resting place for the Siamese royalty during summer (and it still is). Even today it is known as Bang Pa-In Summer Palace.
If you can rent an electric cart, you can easily to get around the palace. Or you can simply opt to cruise along the Chao Phraya River. The Chao Phraya cruise gives you access to a number of temples and other traditional buildings in the surrounding. Many cruises such as Anantara Cruises, Thailand, are available so that you can easily take a voyage across the Chao Phraya River. The cruise will be an even more charming experience if you can make it at sundown.
The palace was built during the reign of King Prasat Thong, in 1632. However, the historical records indicate that the palace had been stranded in the 19th century. The legend has it that King Thong was an illegitimate son of King Ekathotsarot who was shipwrecked on the Chao Phraya river. King Thong’s mother was an ordinary woman. As Dutch historian Jeremias Van Vliet places on record, King Thong had established a monastery on his mother’s land. Later on, he had also built a pond and the palace close to the monastery.
As a result of the Burmese raids in 1767 however, the palace was left in tatters. King Rama IV (1851 – 1868) refurbished the palace. The restoration of the other buildings that surround the park was carried out by King Rama IV’s successor, Rama V. Most of these buildings are not open to the public.
Phra Thinang Wehart Chamrun, a Chinese palace with a throne-room, is an exception. The palace is worth visiting as you get to sight elegant architectural features such as ebony furniture. Close by, you will come across Ho Withun Thasana, a tower used by the royalty to watch the countryside. The Aisawan Thiphya, a floating pavilion, is another attraction in the vicinity. This pavilion had been the chosen place of the royal youths for reading poetry.
Fritzjames Stephen is a travel writer, who writes content based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life. Google+
