Palace Tour in Bangkok

Monument to Queen Sunanda Kumariratana on the grounds of Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University – Kritthaneth / Shutterstock.com

In this article one palace tour in Bangkok organized by the Dutch Pattaya Association.

Our first goal is the Suan Sunanda Rajabhat University. One of the study options is the hospitality industry and there is even a Suan Sunanda Palace Hotel to put lessons into practice. There we drink a cup of coffee. At least part of our party, because the coffee is produced very slowly one by one. So slow that we cancel order. The beautifully decorated service has dropped in our opinion.

Our tour guide Piet says that the name Sunanda comes from one of the wives of Rama V. On a trip by boat from Ayutthaya to Bangkok, the boat in which Sunanda and two of her children were sitting capsized. The royal entourage was faced with a dilemma. Give a helping hand and save Sunanda or abide by the strict law that forbade subjects from touching members of the royal family. They chose the last option and Sunanda and her children drowned. Sunanda was Rama V's favorite wife, but luckily he had many others (he had 77 children). The law in question was repealed.

The palaces or pavilions to be visited are located on the university grounds. It is of course more correct that the university was built in the spacious garden of the palaces. The first pavilion is dedicated to the art of dance. Clothing and masks play an important role in this. The second pavilion concerns the fine arts and clothing and it is striking that Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn is extremely skilled in this, given her watercolors.

We had counted on two pavilions, but we are getting a third, dedicated to music. Ancient Thai musical instruments, an old gramophone and an old record. We feel proud. All three pavilions are simple buildings, and I say this because we will be treated to a much more beautiful palace during the following lunch and afternoon. Really what you imagine at a palace.

Phya Thai Palace

Phya Thai Palace

We drive back the way we came and then hit it Phya Thai Palace. First lunch in the former waiting room of King Rama VI. The interior of this restaurant is most reminiscent of an old gentlemen's club. The massaman is exquisite.

Next to this café (with the beautiful name Café de Norasingha) is the most beautiful theater you can imagine. A kind of Brakke Grond, but made of wood. A beautiful fountain in front. Everything in fifty shades of grey.

The actual palace has a wonderful architecture. Of Italian manufacture. On the first floor we see three rooms. The first with a beautiful fireplace. Rama VI used this to spend time with friends, sitting on the floor. The second is a bedroom with a relatively small bed. The third contains a model of another palace, in which Rama VI investigated how democracy could be introduced.

We are extremely satisfied with this day and actually we look forward to a sequel, because there are many unknown palaces in Bangkok and elsewhere.

– Reposted message –