Monday, 27 June 2016

Chankasem National Museum

CHANKASEM NATIONAL MUSEUM


Chankasem National Museum, Chankasem Palace or Wang na is located at U-Thong road near Pah Sak River in the Northeast of Muang island which is near Hua Ro market. According to the historical record, Chankasem palace was built in King Dhamma Racha reign around 1577 in order to be the residence of King Naraesuan Maharacha and was the residence of King Yuparat and many kings. 
When Ayutthaya was attacked and seized in 1767, the invaders burnt and destroyed this palace and left it abandonly. Until the reign of King Rama IV of Rattanakosin dynasty, he commanded to repair the throne hall Phra Thinang Piman Rattaya and the pavilion in tetrahedron style to be the residence when 
he traveled to Ayutthaya and gave the name “Phra Ratcha Wang Chankasem” on 26th March 1893. Later in the reign of King Rama V, he offered Phra Thinang Piman Rattaya as the old city country office in 1899. When time went by, Lord Phya Boran Ratthanin took charge of intendant of the old city county. 
He ordered to build office at the wall in the West and the South and moved the country office from Phra Thinang Piman Rattaya to that office. The Fine Arts Department has taken care of the place and renovated it into Chankasem National Museum until nowadays.
There are interesting ancient buildings in Chankasem palace namely:
The wall and the palace gate: At present, there are brick wall decorated with heart-shaped boundary marker. There is one door on each side so altogether there are four doors for four sides. 
Pavilion in tetrahedron style: It is located near the East palace gate and made of wood. 
There are 3 porticos in the front and another 3 porticos at the back. At first, it was used as the hall for an announcement of governable issues and the residence. Later, it displays ancient items and is now called Ayutthaya Museum. At present, it exhibits the private royal tools and equipments which were originally used in this palace. 
Phra Thinang Piman Rattaya: It exhibits sculptures made from Sila stone. They are made in god figures and Buddha image with the Nakha above in Lopburi style, the Buddha image made from bronze in Ayutthaya period, votive tablets and carved wooden items.
Phra Thinang Pisai Sayyalak or Hor Song Klong: It is 4-storey tower which is used to observe stars and constellations. Now it displays five permanent exhibitions which are about Ayutthaya architecture, baked pottery and import-export Ayutthaya goods, weapons, items related to Buddhism and the old city people lifestyle. 
If you travel from Bangkok to Ayutthaya city, when you cross King Somdej Phra Naraesuan Maharat Bridge, turn left and drive until you reach the Y-intersection. Turn left again and drive straight for 2 kilometers. Then you will pass Chao Phom market, the museum is on your left-hand side. 
It opens every day from 09.00 – 16.00 except Mondays, Tuesdays and national holidays. The admission fee is 30 baht per Thai person and 100 baht per a foreigner. For more information, please call 0-3525-1586, 0-3525-2795 and fax 0-3525-1586.
Those who are interested in visiting the palace, they should not miss Chankasem National Museum as the palace was once the important scene in “The Four Reigns” musical theatre. 
Credit : www.tourismthailand.org/Attraction/Chankasem-National-Museum--30
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Bang Pa-In Palace

BANG PA-IN PALACE



Few miles down the Chao Phraya River finds Bang Pa-in Palace, a complex of royal residences first built in around the 17th century to serve as a summer palace of Ayutthaya kings. It was later abandoned and ruined until King Mongkut (Rama IV) restored the complex. Most of the buildings we see today were ordered to build during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), who regularly spent his summers here with his royal consorts. Each building features different architectural style:
For example Wehat Chamroon Palace, the only royal residence currently open to public, was built in a traditional Chinese style with materials imported from China while Aisawan Tippaya Asna Pavilion set in the middle of the lake features traditional Thai style embedded with colorful glass mosaics. On the other side finds a monument of Queen Sunanta, King Rama V's royal consort, and their son who were died in a boat accident. Bang Pa-in Palace is, slightly similar to the Grand Palace, divided into two zones: the outer zone for royal ceremonies and the inner zone that is reserved only for the king, his consorts and their small chikdren.
Places of interest in outer zone:
·        Ho Hemmonthian Thewarat is the stone Prang (pagoda) under a banyan tree near the pond within the outer part of the royal court, where an image of a deity is housed. King Rama V ordered its construction in 1879 to replace an old shrine built by villagers as an offering to King Prasatthong of the Ayutthaya period.
·        Aisawanthipphaya-At Pavilion A Thai design pavilion in the middle of the pond was built in the reign of King Rama V. Originally built of wood throughout, King Rama VI commanded to change the floor and pillars to be reinforced concrete.
·        Warophatphiman Hall was formerly a two-story wooden villa served as a royal living quarter and throne hall. Later during his reign, King Rama V ordered the reconstruction, replacing with a European-style to serve as a throne hall for royal ceremonies.
·        Saphakhan Ratchaprayun. This two-storey building was a resident of relatives of the king and non-consort members and is now an exhibition hall displaying the history of Bang Pa-in Palace.
Places of interest in inner zone:
·        Phra Thinang Utthayan Phumisathian is a 2-story, pink-colored, Victorian style mansion serving as a residence for members of the royal family and their guests. The only mansion in Bang Pa-in Palace that is not open to public, this building is actually a new building ordered a construction by HM Queen Sirikit in 1938 to replace the old one, which was made of wood in Swiss chalet style and was burnt down in a fire accident.
·        Wehat Chamrun Hall was the latest mansion during the reign of King Rama V, built in 1889 as the royal offering by the wealthy Chinese merchants led by Phraya Choduk Ratchasetthi (Fak). The mansion was crafted in traditional Chinese Emperor style and was used as a royal residence for King Rama V, his queen and their son, King Rama VI during a royal visit in the cool.

·        Ho Witthunthassana: This three-storey, tower-style building was used as the view spot to see the royal elephants and the surrounding area. 

Attractions:  Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

Credit : www.tourismthailand.org/Attraction/Bang-Pa-in-Palace--48
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The Ancient Royal Palace

THE 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. 
Credit :  www.tourismthailand.org/Attraction/Ancient-Palace--4
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Elephant Kraal Pavilion

ELEPHANT KRAAL PAVILION
Elephant Kraal Pavilion (Phaniat) is located in Suan Phrik sub-district. It is four kilometers away from the city along Highway 347 at km 42-43. It is on the same way as Wat Phu Khao Thong, but you need to turn right and go straight along the road, and there will be a sign leading to the Phaniat Palace.
 Phaniat is very big for the king to stay and watch the elephant round-up or catching wild elephants in the Phaniat, which is a traditional ceremony to select elephants to for official use both in peace and war. A mahout would lure elephants from outside the city into the Phaniat then select only the required one for training. When there are state guests, the king would always offer them the Elephant Round-up, because this ceremony is not only an elephant selection, but also a kind of entertainment.
The Elephant Round-up had been performed since Ayutthaya period until the reign of King Rama V. The current Phaniat is a kraal surrounded with the entire log and crow’s wings that spread out on both sides as fences. Around the Phaniat is an earth wall that is comprised of bricks as high as the logs. Its back side opposite to the wings is a pavilion, which was renovated in 1957. The Tourism Authority of Thailand provided the budget to the Fine Arts Department to renovate the Phaniat in 1988 as well.
About 200 kilometers away from the Phaniat is the Ayutthaya elephant nursing center or elephant village. It is a rest area for elephants after work, where calves are taken care of. Tourists are welcome to take photos with young elephants. Anyone interested in watching the bathing elephant should came here before 10.30 am or after 4.30 pm. Homestays are also available at the center.

Attractions:  Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

Credit :  www.tourismthailand.org/Attraction/Elephant-Kraal-Pavilion--44
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Museum Siam

MUSEUM SIAM
Endlessly stimulating creativity and innovation at Museum Siam.
Have you ever wondered who the people of Thailand are, where we are from, and what it is meant to be Thai? Try searching for answers to these questions on your own at the Museum Siam. This latest learning centre can help trigger your curiosity and lead you to countless discoveries.

Museum Siam is housed in the former building of the Ministry of Commerce in Tha Tien district, and after a complete transformation it now a modern museum. Within the vast area of 3,000 square meters, there are exhibitions about the history of our race, the founding of the nation and so on, awaiting the visitor to define the qualities of being Thais. You can travel through time from when this land was called Suvarnabhumi, then Siam and now Thailand in a timeline from ancient times to the present day.

Museum Siam reveals a brand new experience of museum attending. Traditionally museums in Thailand have been considered boring and dull. However, using modern presentations and multimedia, such as models, animations, and exhibits, help integrate all round aspects of knowledge, including history, geography, and natural sciences. The exhibitions here focus on interaction with visitors.

In addition to permanent displays, there are presentations of temporary displays offering a variety of interesting themes and issues. Ultimately, the main purpose is to combine a thought-provoking venue and recreation complex for people of all ages. This is one museum in Thailand that is no longer presents museums as a storage place for antiques or obsolete data as they often used to be.
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Democracy Monument

DEMOCRACY MONUMENT
The Democracy Monument in Bangkok was built in 1940 to commemorate the establishment a constitutional monarchy in 1932. It was the rallying point for student unrest and popular revolt in 1973 and 1976. In 1992, scores it Thais were killed as they protested against General Suchinda Kraprayoon’s regime.

The Democracy Monument was began in 1939 to commemorate the 1932 revolution which overthrew the absolute monarchy and brought Thailand its’ first constitution. Despite the Monuments name, full democracy was not introduced in Thailand in 1932. The country saw a series of military coups and military regimes until the final establishment of democracy in 1992. The four wings of the Monument are each 24 metres high,signifying the date,June 24th , when the new constitution was signed. The location of the monument, between the old Grand Palace and the Dusit Palace, is also significant. A copy of the original constitution is held in the central pedestal.

The monument was designed by an Italian, Corrado Feroci,who was invited to Thailand in 1924 by King Rama VI. The sculptor stayed in Thailand, became a Thai citizen and changed his name to Silpa Bhirasi.




The Democracy Monument occupies a traffic circle on the wide Rajadammoen Boulevard which runs from the north end of Sanam Luang, up to the Golden Mount, then turns up towards the Ananta Samakorn Throne Hall. Tha monument is at the halfway point between Sanam Luang and the Golden Mount. The volume of traffic makes it difficult to see the details of the Mounment op close. There are currently plans to build a tunnel under the roadway.
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Wat Suthat Thepwararam Ratchaworamahawihan

WAT SUTHAT THEPWARARAM RATCHAWORAMAHAWIHAN

Founded at the home centre of Rattanakosin Island, this is one of Thailand’s six most important temples. King Rama I wished to make it the central temple of Bangkok and construction began in 1807. Construction was completed, according to schedule, in the reign of King Rama III in 1847. King Rama III gave the temple its name, “wat Suthat Thepwararam”.

Phra Sri Sakyamuni : Cast in “Marn Wichai” posture. The image was previously enshrined at Wat Mahathat, Sukhothai Capital. A stone inscription reports that King Phra Mahathammarachalithai who reigned during the Sukhothai period, ordered the image cast as a principal image in Phra Wihanluang Mahathat.
Phra Puttatri Lokachet : cast in alloy in the Subduing Mara position. The 80 disciples stand front of the Buddha. The image was cast during the reign of King Rama III.

Phra Wihan Luang : Copied from Wat Mongkolbophit in Ayutthaya. The central pair of doors were designed by King Rama II,who began the carving. The murals are considered to be the most beautiful work of the Rattanakosin period.
Ubosot : is the longest, most beautiful chapel built in Thai architecture style during the reign of King Rama III. It is decorated with Chorfah,Bairaka, and glazed green ceramic.

Phra Wihan Kod : was built in the reign of King Rama III, and surrounds the Phra Wihan Luang on all four sides. There are 156 Buddha images enshrined inside. The door frames are decorated with lacquered images of Sio Kang.
Location : no.146, Ti Thong 1 Rd., Bamrung Mueang Rd., Unakan Rd, Khet Phra Nakorn,Bangkok
Transportation Method : By bus no., 10,12,19,35,42
Air condition bus no. : 8 , 12
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