Bang Pa In Attractions
Bang Pa In
Bang Pa In is situated on a natural island in the Menam Chao Phraya, about 60 km (37 mi.) north of Bangkok.
By car: from Bangkok via Highway 1, branching off left after 52 km (32 mi.) (signposted).
By bus: from Bangkok Northern Bus Terminal: departures daily at 40 minute intervals from 4.30am. Most Bangkok travel agencies arrange excursions to Bang Pa In.
By rail: Bangkok-Ayutthaya line (about 20 trains a day from Bangkok Hualampong; journey time 11/2 hours).
By boat: along the Menam Chao Phraya. An ideal way to see Ba Pang In is to go one way aboard the "Oriental Queen" or "Ayutthaya Princess" and the other way by bus. Day trips can be booked at Bangkok travel agencies.
Now popular with people from the capital, long ago the kings of Ayutthaya made it their summer residence. Originally it was the family home of King Prasat Thong's mother, the king himself being born there. Following his accession to the throne in 1629, Prasat Thong erected the Buddhist temple of Wat Chumphol Nikayaram. He also enlarged the 1.6 sq. km (1/2 sq. mi.) lake, building beside it a small palace where he and his successors spent the hot summer months. When, under King Taksin, the more distant Thonburi became capital, Bang Pa In was to all intents and purposes abandoned, falling into ruin and disrepair. With the introduction of steamboats on the Menam Chao Phraya, making travel so much easier even for the sovereign, Bang Pa was "rediscovered" by King Mongkut. He replaced the old palace with a new one. Later enlarged by his successors this, together with some other buildings, has recently been thoroughly restored. Since Rama VIII's accession to the throne, the royal family's summer residence has been a palace by the sea at Hua Hin. However, Bang Pa In is still favored today by King Bhumibol for state receptions. Most of the buildings, set in a delightfully laid-out park with several lily ponds, date from the reign of King Chulalongkorn.
Bang Pa In is situated on a natural island in the Menam Chao Phraya, about 60 km (37 mi.) north of Bangkok.
By car: from Bangkok via Highway 1, branching off left after 52 km (32 mi.) (signposted).
By bus: from Bangkok Northern Bus Terminal: departures daily at 40 minute intervals from 4.30am. Most Bangkok travel agencies arrange excursions to Bang Pa In.
By rail: Bangkok-Ayutthaya line (about 20 trains a day from Bangkok Hualampong; journey time 11/2 hours).
By boat: along the Menam Chao Phraya. An ideal way to see Ba Pang In is to go one way aboard the "Oriental Queen" or "Ayutthaya Princess" and the other way by bus. Day trips can be booked at Bangkok travel agencies.
Now popular with people from the capital, long ago the kings of Ayutthaya made it their summer residence. Originally it was the family home of King Prasat Thong's mother, the king himself being born there. Following his accession to the throne in 1629, Prasat Thong erected the Buddhist temple of Wat Chumphol Nikayaram. He also enlarged the 1.6 sq. km (1/2 sq. mi.) lake, building beside it a small palace where he and his successors spent the hot summer months. When, under King Taksin, the more distant Thonburi became capital, Bang Pa In was to all intents and purposes abandoned, falling into ruin and disrepair. With the introduction of steamboats on the Menam Chao Phraya, making travel so much easier even for the sovereign, Bang Pa was "rediscovered" by King Mongkut. He replaced the old palace with a new one. Later enlarged by his successors this, together with some other buildings, has recently been thoroughly restored. Since Rama VIII's accession to the throne, the royal family's summer residence has been a palace by the sea at Hua Hin. However, Bang Pa In is still favored today by King Bhumibol for state receptions. Most of the buildings, set in a delightfully laid-out park with several lily ponds, date from the reign of King Chulalongkorn.
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Bang Pa In Palace
The Bang Pa In Palace is nestled within a complex guarded by a high wall. The greater Palace area comprises two different Palace complexes, the inner of which was accessible only to the royal couple.
Wat Chumphol Nikayaram
Outside the palace grounds, Wat Chumphol Nikayaram, on the nearer side of the island not far from the railway station, was built by King Prasat Thong and several times restored and altered under his successors. The walls are decorated with murals from the reign of King Mongkut portraying scenes from the life of Buddha. The two beautifully proportioned polygonal chedis are from the same era.
Wat Niwet Thamapravat
Wat Niwet Thamapravat lies south of the royal residence, on an island in the Menam Chao Phraya. It was a gift from King Chulalongkorn to the monks of the Dhramayutika sect. The bot contains a large statue of Buddha by Prince Pradi Vrakarn, court sculptor to Kings Mongkut and Chulalongkorn.
