As one of the Thai capital’s lesser known royal palaces, visitors exploring Bangkok’s historic heritage should not forget to stopover at the Suan Pakkad Palace. Those who are based in serviced suites Bangkok counts among the best located hospitality venues such as the Anantara Baan Rajprasong Bangkok Serviced Suites will be within close proximity of the captivating palace. While its name literally translates to ‘Cabbage Patch’ in the local tongue, the actual venue itself is a far cry from anything pastoral as the palatial complex harks back to the country’s golden era.
Surrounded by an exquisite garden littered with tropical plants and flora varieties, the Suan Pakkad Palace is a massive compound which not only includes eight conventional Thai households but also a series of ponds as well. As the former residence of the Chumbho princess and her prince, the royal palace houses some of the most complete collections of antiques and fine art pieces in Thailand. Having been part of the royal couple’s personal collection, the antiquities are some of the chief attractions of this ancient palace complex.
Having been transformed into a living museum since the early 1950’s, the royals turned over their private residence to public ownership as the first such act by the Thai royal family. Additions to the original property were made in 1996 while the main attractions at the museum space include the Ban Chieng relics which are believed to date back to the Iron, Neolithic and Bronze periods. Contained within The Chumbhot – Panthip Centre of Arts other artefacts on display include utensils and weapons of the Bronze Age as well as rare pottery pieces.
There are four ancient teak households in all (with the remainder being new additions) in the compound and each was transported from their original site in Chiang Mai to Bangkok. Two storeys in height the houses are connected using a series of platforms. The first house one comes across on a tour mainly showcases musical instruments while the second and third houses contain ornaments and furniture including porcelains. Houses five through eight display prehistoric art and masks as well as puppets used in traditional folk arts. Terracotta statues, silverware and glassware are also found in the latter houses while the Lacquer Pavilion is another highlight at Suan Pakkad Palace.
Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+
