"Nakhon Pathom," a province just a short one-hour drive from Bangkok, is a charming small town brimming with hidden gems. Despite the inclement weather, "ดินสอขอเขียน" and her friends braved the rain to visit the renowned "Sanam Chandra Palace," a must-see attraction in the province.

I have personally visited the "Sanam Chan Palace" on numerous occasions, starting from my days as a student at Silpakorn University. I have been there for both freshman orientation and graduation ceremonies. Since then, I have occasionally stopped by to take photos. However, this time, I am determined to spend some quality time exploring the palace.

Visitors to the palace are required to dress modestly. Shorts, short skirts, and sleeveless shirts are prohibited. Visitors who do not comply with the dress code will be required to rent a sarong before entering the palace. Admission to the palace is very affordable, costing only 30 baht.

Upon entering the palace grounds, one is immediately struck by the lush greenery, thanks to the abundance of well-maintained trees. Our first stop was the "Phiman Phatthana" throne hall, where we were required to deposit all belongings in lockers before entering. This allowed us to explore freely, following the designated tour guide. It's important to note that photography is strictly prohibited inside all throne halls within the palace; only exterior shots are permitted.

The first royal residence we encountered was "Phra Thinang Phiman Phathom," a Western-style structure with exquisitely carved gingerbread-style eaves, ventilation openings, awnings, and balcony railings. The interior of this royal residence features various chambers, including a bedroom, a bathing chamber, a chamber for royal attire, and a dining chamber.

We then proceeded to the "Phra Thinang Aphirom Ratchasuda", a two-story royal residence connected to the Phra Thinang Phiman Rattaya to the south. It originally served as the residence of the female members of the royal family, but now houses a permanent exhibition in honor of King Rama VI and Princess Bejaratana Rajasuda.

The final structure is the "Vajira Rarmma Yai Pavilion", which boasts stunning Thai architecture and is adorned with a chofa finial. Anyone who sees this pavilion is likely to mistake it for a "temple" due to its traditional Thai design, featuring a double-layered roof with chofa finials, bai raka, and hang hongs. The southern side features a projecting balcony, and a covered walkway connects it to the Phiman Pathom Pavilion. The highlight of this pavilion is its deep red paint with gold-leaf cutouts in a star pattern. At night, when the lights are turned on, the pavilion appears to be illuminated by stars from the sky. King Rama VI used this pavilion for social club events, royal audiences, and training the Wild Tiger Corps. It also served as a venue for khon and lakhon performances, leading to its nickname, the "Khon Theater." This concludes the guided tour.

We headed to the "Khean Ganesh Shrine", which King Rama VI ordered to be built as the guardian deity of Sanam Chan Palace. Lord Ganesha is a deity with an elephant head, the god of arts and sciences, literature, and the remover of obstacles and the giver of success. As a Silpakorn alumnus, we did not hesitate to pay our respects and ask for blessings from him, as he is revered by Silpakorn students. Moreover, the university has adopted the image of Lord Ganesha as its official emblem.

We strolled through the lush greenery of the trees until we reached the "Chalimongkol Asana Palace", which is arguably the highlight of the Sanam Chan Palace. The palace is a French Renaissance-style castle with English half-timbered architecture, painted in egg white with a red tile roof. When the sun shines on the building, the color of the building against the blue sky is a stunning sight. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't cooperating today, so the photos turned out like this.

In front of this palace, there stands a monument to **"Ya Le,"** the beloved dog of King Rama VI. Ya Le was a mixed-breed dog with a white and black spotted coat, a bushy tail, and floppy ears. She was tragically shot and killed, causing great sorrow to the king. As a tribute to his loyal companion, King Rama VI erected a monument to Ya Le in front of the palace.

On the second floor of this palace, a wooden bridge extends to the "Marie Ratcha Ratchabalang Palace", a golden teak building painted red. It features neoclassical architecture and is another building that is just as beautiful as the other royal residences.

After touring the various buildings, "ดินสอขอเขียน" and her friends took many photos. This concludes our exploration of the beautiful and impressive "Sanam Chandra Palace".

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• Location: Ratchadamnoen Rd., Phra Pathom Chedi Subdistrict, Mueang District, Nakhon Pathom Province
• Tel: 0-3424-4236
• Opening Hours: Daily 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (Ticket booth closes at 3:30 PM)
• Entrance Fee: Adults 30 Baht, Children 10 Baht, Foreigners 50 Baht