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[ Grand Palace ]
Currently called "Ancient Palace" the residential palace of every king
was located close to the city wall of Ayutthaya. A road passes by from
Chankasem Palace, which it 2 kilometers away to the north. Important
buildings inside the Grand Palace compound are

[
Wihan Somdet Hall ]
The top of this hall has been decorated in a unique style of
architecture called Prang. It has longer space in front and rear gabled
rooms, and shorter space in the side gabled rooms. It was surrounded
with a three-sided cloister and utilized for various royal ceremonies
such as coronations. This was the first building over constructed in
Ayutthaya to be affixed with gold leaf.

[ Chakkrawat Phaichayon Hall ]
With a three - gabled roof, it is on the inner eastern city wall in
front of the Grand Palace. It was used to view processions and military
practice.

[ Sanpet Prasat Hall ]
This is the middle building constructed in the same design as Wihan
Somdet Hall. Kings used it to welcome foreign enjoys and visitors.

[ Banyong Rattanat Hall ]
Formerly known by the name of "Phra Thinang Thaisa", it is located in
the back compound of the Grand Palace on an Island in a pond. It has
four - gabled roof architecture.

[ City Wall And Gate ]
They were newly constructed by the command of King Rama IV. The original
foundation of the city wall has since been found through excavation,
thus revealing that the original area was much more spacious than what
is visit to Ayutthaya.

[ Phiman Rattaya Hall ]
A group of buildings located amidst the compound of the grand palace,
which once served as government offices and the Provincial
Administrative Building for several years.

[ Phlapphla Chaturamuk ]
This wooden four - gabled roof pavilion is near the east gate of the
palace. Originally, a residential place of King Mongkut during his visit
to Ayutthaya.

[ Trimuk Hall ]
This is located behind the Sanphet Prasat Hall. It is believed to have
been the residential area of the consort members and is also the royal
relaxing place in the garden.

[ Phisai Sanyalak Hall ]
This is a four storey high tower located close to the western side of
the Grand Palace. It was originally constructed during the reign of King
Narai the Great, but was destroyed the 2nd fall of Ayutthaya. It was
reconstructed according to the original foundation in the 4th reign.
King Rama IV used the Tower to observe the stars.
The palace is now used as a national museum. It has been decorated for
demonstration of antiques such as Chinaware, ancient weapons, King Rama
IV's personal things for daily life, Buddha images, sculptures and
votive tablets of different times.
The museum is open everyday from 09.00 - 16.00 hrs. except Monday,
Tuesday, and national holidays. (Admission fee : 30 Baht).

[ Chankasem or Front Palace ]
On the bank of Pasak River, this palace was built during the reign of
King Maha Thammaraja, the 17 Ayutthaya monarch, for his son's residence
(King Naresuan). Like other ruins, the palace was destroyed by the
Burmese and left un-repaired for a long time. King Mongkut of the
present Chakri dynasty ordered reconstruction of this palace for use as
a residence during his occasional visits to Ayutthaya. Some of the more
interesting sites are:

[ Wang Lang or The Rear Palace ]
This palace if located close to the western city wall of Ayutthaya (in
the vicinity of the present location of the distillery plant of the
Excise Department). It was originally the garden where the king made a
visit from time to time. There was only one residential in the entire
area. King Maha Thammaracha commanded more buildings to be built in the
area to mark it a palace which would be the residence of King
Ekathosarot. Later on, this rear palace was only the residence of royal
family members, so now on one can see the important items.

[ Elephant Kraal Pavilion ]
The Pavilion, utilized as the royal seat to witness the elephant round
up, is located 4 kilometers from the city along Highway No.309. The
outlook is a big cage surrounded with logs having, from the front
center, fencing lines of 45 degrees spread out to both sides far away
into the jungle area. Around the kraal itself, is an earthen wall with
bricks to the height of the pillars top. Behind the kraal and opposite
the front fencing line, is the pavilion housing the royal seat. The
Kraal currently seen was renovated in the year 1957.

[ Wihan Phramongkhon Bophit ]
Phra Mongkhon Bophit, a large bronze cast Buddha image was originally
enshrined outside the Grand palace to the east. King Songtham commanded
it to be transferred to the west, where it is currently enshrined and
covered with a Mondop. Later in the reign of Phra Chao Sua, the top of
the Mondop was burnt down by a fire due to a thunderbolt. Then, the King
commanded a new building be built in the form of a big sanctuary (Maha
Wihan) to cover the image in lieu of the image were badly destroyed by
fire, the one currently seen was renovated but does not have as
beautiful craftsmanship as the previous ones. The open area east of the
Sanctuary (Wihan) was formerly Sanam Luang, where the royal cremation
ceremonies took place (This practice is now held at Sanam Luang, the
Phramain Ground of Bangkok) |