Ancient Palace

The Royal Palace or The Ancient Palace is located near Wat Mongkol Borpit temple. At present, there is only the remains of the building’s base. Only Wat Phra Si Sanphet is there with the glamorous architecture. It is presumed that King U-Thong ordered to build this palace once he stayed in the small Vienglek palace in 1347. Once he successfully formed Bangkok in 1350, he moved to stay in this new palace near Nhon Sanon. The area, where Phra Thinang or throne halls were built by wood, now becomes the area of Wat Phra Si Sanphet. Later in 1448, King Phra Borom Trai Lokkanart offered the area of the former palace to be built as a temple in the royal palace area. The temple is “Wat Phra Si Sanphet”. Then he ordered to build a new royal palace located in the North close to Lopburi River. The palaces in the former palace area were the residences of every king in Ayutthaya period. Tourists can use Wat Mongkol Borphit’s entrance and pass Wat Phra Si Sanphet, which has beautifully narrated pagodas, then continue walking to the ancient palace. The palace area is divided into the outer area, the middle area and the inner area. The outer palace area is the location of Phra Thinang Chakkrawat Phaichayon which was used to observe the procession and the performance. Moreover, it is consisted of many government offices such as jury court, royal court and account list court.The middle palace area is the location of three great Maha Prasart which are Phra Thinang Viharn Somdej, Phra Thinang Sanphet Prasart, the main residence of the King, and Phra Thinang Suriya Amarin, which is believed to be the place where the Phra Narai’s remain is kept. The inner palace area is the location of Phra Thinang Banyong Ratanart, Rong Kriang Ton, Phra Thinang Trimook, Phra Thinang Song Puen and the residences of the officers who work in the palace. For visiting, take the road around the city, drive pass Wang Chan Kasem palace for only 2 kilometers and you will reach the palace. The palace opens daily from 07.00-18.30. The special event at this palace starts between 19.30-21.00 where there are lighting tour for observing the ancient palace. The light and darkness will provide you another experience differently from the daytime visiting. The admission fee is 10 baht per Thai adult and 30 baht per foreigner. Tourists can buy a package of mixed tickets which is60 baht for Thai adult and 180 baht for a foreigner.