Thai Royal summer palace.
By Gary Marsh
@garymarsh6 (23393)
United Kingdom
December 13, 2015 6:38am CST
Bang PA-IN is the summer palace near the old capital of Ayuthaya just to the north of Bangkok. We called into the palace on our way to Ayutthaya.
There has been a Royal palace on the site since the 1600's. It is beside the Chao Phraya which runs down to Bangkok and then out to the Bay of Siam. The king and his entourage would go between Bangkok and Ayutthaya by boat. Sadly the palace went into decline but in the 1800's the King of Siam decided to restore it to its present glory.
There are various pavilions dotted around the grounds including a Chinese throne room. The main palace is loosely based on a Swiss chalet style building andis quite large. The top floor is reserved specifically for HM Queen Elizabeth II. After she visited the palace the King of Thailand King Bhumibol Adulyadej or Rama IX declared that only Queen Elizabeth can stay in these top floor apartments.
The grounds are very well maintained with some topiary of Elephants and other animals around the grounds. There are several lakes and a look out tower shaped like a lighthouse which gave the King great views of surrounding areas.
The day we visited it was extremely hot with no let up in the heat but we had a really pleasant time wandering around the grounds which were very beautiful. My favourite was the Aisawan Dhiphya-Asana Pavilion in the middle of the lake.
The palace is only used these days for state and ceremonial events. It is well worth stopping for a couple of hours. It is a haven of peace and tranquility.
I have put together a few photos of the palace and grounds.
Enjoy!
I created this video with the YouTube Slideshow Creator (http://www.youtube.com/upload) Bang Pa In Palace is the Summer palace of the Thai Royal family. Orig...
12 people like this
14 responses
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
13 Dec 15
Thanks for including the photos in your description Gary! I am a visual person, so it made it so much nicer to visualize what you were describing by actually being able to see the photos! Very beautiful!
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
13 Dec 15
It is good when you can see what is being described rather than conjure up something in your imagination. I am glad you enjoyed it Jeff.
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
13 Dec 15
@garymarsh6 I am totally a visual person, so pictures are important to me! My son is the opposite. He is more audible. He likes to hear things described.
@JudyEv (325759)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Dec 15
I don't think my travel posts would be any good at all without the photos - or else I'd have to get much better at descriptions.
@Inlemay (17714)
• South Africa
16 Dec 15
@garymarsh6 Pristine indeed - absolutely beautiful
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
13 Dec 15
Wow, between you and Judy I am visiting Thailand and Europe without leaving my recliner. Lovely place.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
13 Dec 15
Doesn't the very hot weather ruin travel for you?
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
13 Dec 15
No not really. I like the heat but I do not like high humidity it is so draining.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
16 Dec 15
@ElizabethWallace OH dear would it be North Carolina. That is humid there apart from up in the mountains where it is gorgeous!
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
14 Dec 15
@garymarsh6 My most recent trip is in a very humid environment. I really hate it.
1 person likes this
@shellyjaneo (1081)
• United Kingdom
13 Dec 15
What a beautiful place I would love to go to Thailand x
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
13 Dec 15
Hopefully you will get the opportunity to go there. You know it is cheaper than going to some of the med resorts!
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@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
14 Dec 15
@shellyjaneo NO no injections I have had my lot already some time ago.
@shellyjaneo (1081)
• United Kingdom
14 Dec 15
@garymarsh6 That is true, the only thing that puts me off is I think you need to have injections (this may not be true I am thinking off the top of my head with nothing to back it up) and my little boy is too young to take yet but when he is a little older I will definitely think about going. We haven't been on holiday for coming up to 4 years so I would be happy anywhere at the moment lol x
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
13 Dec 15
Yes there is also a winter palace in the North of Thailand near Chang mai where the air is cooler.
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
16 Dec 15
The photos were wonderful. The reflection you caught on several photos was wonderful. The whole place was gorgeous. The red and gold building was amazing, and now I know why Oriental restaurants often have that look to them in the US and Canada.The elephants, even though you mentioned them in your post, caught me off guard, so fun to see, great topiary. Enjoyed this!!
