Hello.

This trip was a 3-day long weekend that took place on December 4th, 2016.

Seeking a nearby temple to pay respects to the Buddha, Nakhon Pathom's Phra Pathom Chedi became my destination.

During our one day in Nakhon Pathom, we enjoyed the following activities:

1. Phra Pathom Chedi

2. Sanam Chan Palace

3. Dip your feet in the water at the Riva Floating Cafe.

4. Enjoy dinner at Ruen Nam Alisa, with a scenic view of the Nakhon Chai Si River.

(Guided by GPS)

Departed from Bangkok at 8:00 AM via Sanam Luang Road and crossed the Phra Pin Klao Bridge.

We arrived at Phra Pathom Chedi around 10 am (after getting lost for a while, haha! It probably wouldn't take others as long as it took us).

The atmosphere that day was good, there were a lot of people but not too many. After we paid our respects to the Buddha, we walked to the market to find something to eat.
Turning our backs to the Phra Pathom Chedi and walking straight ahead, you will find a shop selling crispy pork and red pork on the right-hand side. It was delicious.
The sauce was delicious. I saw that they also had satay, and a lot of people were ordering it. However, I didn't order it myself, so I don't know how good it was.
But the crab Rangoon was delicious, I can confirm that!

After a satisfying meal, we continued our journey to the Sanam Chan Palace.
Following the GPS navigation, the journey was effortless. The palace is conveniently located near the Phra Pathom Chedi (approximately 5-6 kilometers away).

Upon arrival, an entrance fee of 30 baht is required for adults, 10 baht for students, and 50 baht for foreigners. Visitors wearing short skirts must purchase a sarong for 70 baht to comply with the dress code.

A brief history of the Sanam Chan Palace.

The Sanam Chan Palace was built by King Rama VI on the site of an ancient palace known as the "Nean Prasat" (Castle Hill). The king intended it to serve as a residence during his visits to the Phra Pathom Chedi and in times of national crisis.

The palace took four years to build, with Luang Phithak Manop (Noi Sin), who was later promoted to Phraya Wisutkaram Silpapasit, as the project manager. It was completed in 1907 and named "Sanam Chan Palace" after the ancient pond in front of the Brahman temple (which no longer exists), the Chan pond, or the lotus pond.

King Rama VI expressed his royal will in his testament to designate Sanam Chan Palace as the site for the Royal Thai Military Academy. The relevant passage reads as follows:

"All the large and small buildings within the area called "Sanam Chan Palace" are my personal property, not inherited from my father. I used funds from my position as Crown Prince and other sources to build Sanam Chan and the first palace, Phra Phiman Pratham. Later, when I ascended the throne, I used the Royal Treasury to maintain this place entirely as my private property. Therefore, it is not appropriate to include Sanam Chan Palace in the main inheritance. I have the legal right, like any ordinary citizen, to give this place to whomever I wish. Therefore, upon my death, I bequeath this place to the Siamese government as an absolute right, to be used as a military academy."

Currently, the Sanam Chan Palace is under the care of the Bureau of the Royal Household. On December 1, 2003, the Sanam Chan Palace Restoration Committee, chaired by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior, Mr. Nawin Khanthahhiran, former governor of Nakhon Pathom Province, and Silpakorn University, represented by Assistant Professor Likhit Kanchanaphan, Vice President of Silpakorn University, Sanam Chan Palace Campus, presented the Sanam Chan Palace back to the Bureau of the Royal Household.

The Royal Palace of Sanam Chan Palace has numerous structures (but we did not walk through all of them, as the area is very large).

The area is popular with tourists, who come to take photos and relax.

Our first stop was the Thap Khuan Royal Residence.

Before entering the exhibition, please store all your belongings, including mobile phones, in the lockers provided. No personal items are allowed inside the exhibition hall, except for your admission ticket.

At every point, you must present your admission ticket for the staff to stamp the name of the place for you.

The house is a perfect example of Central Thai architecture. It consists of eight buildings, four large Thai houses facing each other in different directions, and four small Thai houses connected at the four corners (with a lush tree in the center).

Point 2: Marie Rajarattbalang Palace

The building is a two-story red wooden structure located behind the Chalimongkol Asana Throne Hall. The second floor has a bridge connecting it to the house. Underneath the bridge, between the two throne halls, is a canal. The bridge is covered with a roof and walls. This throne hall was used for the King to receive audiences in private. It is currently a museum dedicated to the life and works of King Rama VI.

Note: Visitors are allowed to bring their belongings, but staff will distribute cloth bags for shoes. This allows visitors to walk around the museum without having to walk back across the bridge.

Point 3: Chaleemongkolasana Palace
Located southeast of the Wachira Rmyan Palace, this two-story building features Western architecture with pale yellow or eggshell-colored exterior walls and a red-tiled roof. It was used for activities related to the Wild Tiger Corps or when the corps assembled.

Ya Li Monument

Located in front of the Chalimongkol Asana Throne Hall, this is a life-size metal statue of a dog, the first and only dog monument in Thailand at present. Ya Le was a fluffy, long-haired mixed-breed dog, white and brown in color, born in Nakhon Pathom Prison. King Rama VI came across him during a royal visit to inspect the prison. He was so impressed by the dog's intelligence that he ordered him from Phra Thammathirak (Phothi Kehanan), the deputy governor of the prison, who held the title of Luang Chai Anya. The king then took him to be raised in the royal palace and gave him the name Ya Le.

After admiring the statue of Ya Le, we were about to head back ... but then a palace official asked if we were leaving already.

I just arrived ... So we said we were going back. We walked around the whole place ...

After finishing, he asked to see our tickets to see where we had been. When we showed them to him, he said that they were not complete and that there were many more places to see.

Most importantly, it lacks the most crucial point.

We then asked, "Where is it?" .......... She replied,

The First Throne Hall

The Aphiman Ratchathani Throne Hall

Vajira Rmaromya Pavilion

Okay, we heard that. We will walk back as the officer suggested.

As always, before entering, all belongings must be stored in lockers. They are not allowed to be brought inside.

A guide will be available to provide information and explanations at various points of interest. Tours are organized in sessions, with a maximum of 20 minutes per session.

It was very informative and insightful, but I forgot everything after the presentation. Haha.

At the center of the lawn of Phra Tamnak San Chan Palace stands the Thewalai Ganesha Shrine, also known as the Shrine of the Guardian Deity. This shrine houses the statue of Lord Ganesha.

Alternatively, Ganesha, revered as the deity of knowledge and arts, is believed to possess unparalleled wisdom and excel in all fields of knowledge and art.

The Phra Pathom Chedi and the Ganesha Shrine were built in alignment with each other. This is because it is believed that by paying respects at the Ganesha Shrine, one will also be paying respects to the Phra Pathom Chedi.

From Sanam Chandra Palace, set your GPS to Riva Floating Cafe.

Is there anything else I can help you with?

Lost? ... Let me tell you, I'm very lost 5555++ riva floating cafe is right next to the Pantawee Hotel.

Look at the signs.

Is there anything else I can help you with?

Upon entering, you will encounter a coconut grove by the canal. ... It was incredibly crowded that day, with customer vehicles overflowing onto the main road.

We walked in and... Oh my god... there were another 10 people in line.

Some people left because they couldn't wait any longer. What about us?

We're going back too, haha. Who would wait for 10 queues? Some people on the platform haven't even received their food yet.

We are currently in a state of uncertainty. We have no further plans and are unsure of our next destination.

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Approaching a friendly elderly gentleman who owns a convenience store at the entrance of the road, I inquired if he knew of any delicious restaurants nearby.

"Alisa Kitchen," she suggested. "The food is delicious, and the view is beautiful. You should check it out."

"The food was excellent, and the atmosphere was delightful. I will definitely return in the future."