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Bang
Pa In
Summer Palace
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Bang Pain Palace dates to the 17th century when King Prasat Thong
originally constructed a palace on Bang Pain Island in the Chao Phraya
River. It is not known how long the palace was used before the Burmese
invaded Ayutthaya in 1767 but nothing remained in 1807. King Rama
IV, better known as King Mongkut (1851 - 1868) had a residence, Wat
Niwet Thamprawat, constructed on the outer island which was built
by his son and heir King Chulalongkorn. The present palace dates from
King Chulalongkorn (1868 - 1910). Most of the palace buildings still
standing today date to the period 1872 - 1889. No longer used as a
summer palace by the current royal family Bang Pain is occasionally
used for receptions and banquets.
The palace consists of an inner and outer palace. The inner palace
contained the residence buildings and is reached via a covered bridge
(left). The covered bridge allowed the court ladies to look out without
being seen. The outer palace was used for official functions. |
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The
walk along the river |
Entering
the palace grounds you walk along a small river toward the inner grounds.
The area is beautiful with a park like setting and manicured plantings.
The weather was extremely hot and a few minutes spent resting under
the trees was a welcome alternative to the hot Sun beating down on
you. |
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Anne
resting in the shade |
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Each
of the palace buildings was built in a different architectural style
and included examples of Greek and Chinese architecture styles. |
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Anne
standing on the steps to one of the
palace buildings with Grecian style columns |
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Ho
Withun Thasana, the tower and
sage's lookout, built in 1881, served
as a tower from which the King could
view the surrounding countryside |
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Phra
Thinang Wehart Chamrun, the Royal Residence Heavenly
Light, a Chinese style mansion built in 1889. Construction of
the residence was initially begun by the Chinese people, however,
they were sent home and the residence was completed by
the Thai people. |
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Anne,
Darla and Ken inside Phra
Thinang Wehart Chamrun |
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Phra
Thinang Wehart Chamrun |
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A
shrine with a golden statue of
Buddha on the grounds of Bang Pain |
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Now
it's time for the lunch cruise back to Bangkok aboard the Ayutthaya
Princess. Join us for scenes along the Chao Phraya River as we cruise
back to Bangkok ... |
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