Bang Pa-In
12 miles south of Ayutthaya is the Bang Pa-In
Summer Palace - a sprawling ensemble of royal
buildings, built in contrasting architectural
styles: Chinese, Swiss, classical European
and Thai, all set in a large park around
ponds and waterways.
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 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. The100ft tower was
built so the King of Siam could watch herds
of roaming elephants.
The only royal residence open to the public
is the Chinese-style Wehat Chamroon Palace,
constructed entirely of materials imported
from China. In addition, there is an Italian-style
palace, a circular pavilion with steps leading
down to a pool, a graceful Thai-style Aisawan
Tippaya Asna Pavilion in the middle of a
lake, and, across one of the waterways, and
a Buddhist chapel in the neo-Gothic style
with stained-glass windows. Scattered around
the extensive gardens are many European statues
and topiary animals.
There’s a museum of vintage English-built
King’s carriages, introduced by King
Rama V, who visited Europe and was so impressed
by the way of life that he set out to ‘modernise’
his country. He was responsible for changes
such as the abolition of slavery, the first
railway, the first museum, introduction of
knife, fork and spoon (previously fingers),
shirts and trousers for men.
