The Mrigadayavan Palace is located on Bang Kra Beach, between Cha-am and Hua Hin in Phetchaburi Province. The construction of this impressive beachfront palace was completed in 1924. The iconic summer palace was built at the time for King Rama VI who wanted to spend his holiday there.
The palace consists of 16 buildings of golden teak and is built in Thai-Victorian style. All sixteen buildings are connected by raised walkways. These are designed in such a way that you can experience the cooling sea breeze from all directions. The complex is located on the beach and it is also a good place to be.
The Mrigadayavan Palace, is known for its distinctive architecture that showcases a harmonious blend of Thai and Western styles. The design of Mrigadayavan Palace, realized by Italian architect Ercole Manfredi, focused on ventilation and coolness, with many windows and open spaces, ideal for the tropical climate. After the death of King Vajiravudh, the palace became less used, but today it is a popular tourist destination and an important example of Thailand's cultural and historical heritage. The palace not only reflects the lifestyle of the Thai royal family of the time, but also serves as a beautiful example of early 20th century architecture in Thailand.
Now that the palace no longer serves as a home for members of the royal family, it is open to the public and functions as a kind of museum. There are exhibitions with royal objects from times gone by. This way you can see how the kings lived in the past.
- Address: 1281, Phet Kasem Rd., Cha-am, Cha-am, Phetchaburi 76120 Thailand
- Tel: + 6655005111
- Open every day from 08:30-16:30
- GPS location: 12° 41′ 53.25″ N 99° 57′ 49.78″ E
Do not visit now. It is under maintenance and is completely messed up. I don't know when it will be finished. One can only walk around it now. Was there last week.
This summer palace was also under maintenance last December, but I did not see anyone working. The staff quarters could be visited, as well as the souvenir shop. I had gone there by taxi with a relative. Fortunately, he stayed waiting so that we could quickly return to Hua Hin…
The Thai people are like a lemon whose juices flow into golden mouths.
Wonder, that building on the beach with the cross on the roof.
Would that be a chapel?
As mentioned above, the palace is closed inside and last December was still partially accessible to small groups if booked. It was easy to walk around it and it was clear to see that it is not just preventive maintenance. As so often, maintenance is only started when something is about to collapse. Very sorry. Especially with such a beautiful historic palace.
Just looked at that name Mrigadayavan (palace). In Thai script it is มฤคทายวัน ma reuk kha thaa yaa wan (tones high, high, middle, high, middle) and that is the name of the deer park where the Buddha gave his first sermon and where he advocated the Middle Way: poverty and luxury were both reprehensible conditions.
I visited the palace in 2005-06. Beautiful place. They were also doing renovations at the time.