Bang Pa-In Palace Walk Track

This walking tour has been designed to introduce you to Bang Pa-In Summer Palace in Bang Pa-In District of Ayutthaya Province. The tour will take about two hours depending on the time spent at each location point. Bang Pa-In Palace dates back from the Ayutthayan era. It was built on an island in the Chao Phraya River called Ko Ban Len or Ko Bang Nang In. Following a legend King Ekathotsarot (r. 1605-1610/11) stranded on this island after his barge capsized on the river and met here a local beauty. Out of the short relationship a son was born, who later usurped the throne and would be known as King Prasat Thong (r. 1629-1656)
.In 1632 King Prasat Thong conferred his own land to construct a Buddhist temple called Wat Chumphon Nikayaram. The king ordered a holiday resort built. A royal pavilion called Aisuriyathipat Maha Prasat was set up within a walled complex with a large dug pond, private gardens and many small and large buildings for royalty to stay. It is not known whether or not the palace was still in use at the tome of the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767. After the downfall of the old Siamese capital the place was neglected and overgrown.
The Palace was revived by King Mongkut (r. 1851-1868) who had a temporary residence constructed on the outer island as he often spent his holidays on the island. King Chulalongkorn (r. 1868-1910) had a new palace built starting in 1872 and it was inaugurated four years later in 1876. Many more structures were added until 1889. The king made his sojourns both by train and by water to this palace almost every year. A. special railway station was established at Bang Pa-In especially for the use of the king and his royal members. This station building still exists at present. Today the palace is still used occasionally by royalty as a residence and for holding receptions and banquets.

If you are interested in viewing photographs of the temples in advance or would like additional historic information about these ruins, visit our website at www.ayutthaya-history.com.

Be aware you can cross to the outer island by cable car (cross the large parking south of the Palace) and visit the Neo-gothic style Wat Niwet Thammaprawat.

Tips and Warnings

Weather can be very hot, so make sure to drink plenty of fluids and wear sun block. Keep an eye on your valuable things when visiting the palace route. The palace is open daily from 0830 until 1700 Hr. The ticket office closes at 1530 Hr. Entrance fee is 100 Baht. Some buildings are closed to the public. Dress appropriately as this is a Royal Palace. Clothing can be rented at the entrance for a small fee (returned to you when you give back the clothes). Golf carts are available for rent at 450 Thai Baht for the first hour, and 100 Baht per additional hour. The exit is through the gift shop.

Who are we?

Ayutthaya Historical Research [AHR] consists of a small group of researchers/writers with the aim to promote Ayutthaya’s cultural heritage. We are local expatriates who have been living in Ayutthaya for many years and would like to share our knowledge with future visitors. Therefore, we have personally tested each of these suggested routes by cycling and/or walking. More information on the authors can be found at: http://www.ayutthaya-history.com/Authors.html

In case of emergency or accident:

Contact the Ayutthaya Tourist Police Station: 035/241446, 035/242352 or 1155.

Disclaimer

AHR will not be held liable for any loss or damage whatsoever for any suggestions made in relation to the site’s promotion of ecotourism. It is the responsibility of the user of the site to take the necessary precautions to avoid any physical injury, traffic incident, animal attack, theft, and damage to equipment. Any reliance on the site’s information is therefore strictly at your own risk. Read our full disclaimer at website www.ayutthaya-history.com.

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