Sanam Chan Palace on a cloudy day OR The cloudy sky over Sanam Chan Palace

After paying respects at the Phra Pathom Chedi, I walked to the Sanam Chan Palace, which took about 20 minutes.

Sanam Chandra Palace is located in Phra Pathom Chedi Subdistrict, Mueang Nakhon Pathom District, Nakhon Pathom Province, approximately 2 kilometers from Phra Pathom Chedi. It covers an area of approximately 888 rai, 3 ngan, and 24 square wa. It was built by King Vajiravudh (Rama VI). After his death, Sanam Chandra Palace was used as the office of various government agencies in Nakhon Pathom Province, as well as a campus of Silpakorn University. Currently, Sanam Chandra Palace is under the care of the Bureau of the Royal Household.

Sanam Chan Palace was built by King Rama VI on the site of an ancient palace known as "Neen Prasat". The palace served as a residence for the king during his visits to the Phra Pathom Chedi and as a refuge in times of crisis.

The construction of the palace took four years, with Luang Phithak Manop (Noi Silapa), who was later promoted to Phraya Witsukam Silapa (Noi Silapa), as the project leader. The construction was completed in 1907. Upon completion, the palace was named "Sanam Chan Palace" after the ancient pond in front of the Brahman temple (currently no longer exists), "Chan Pond" or "Lotus Pond".

The Sanam Chandra Palace is currently closed for renovations, starting from October 1, 2017. There is no entrance fee during this period. Visitors can still walk around the exterior of the buildings. Upon arrival, you will find the entrance gate.

The first thing that caught my eye was an ancient Thai wooden house.

The Thawornwatanna Palace is a complex of traditional Thai houses connected by verandas. It includes two sleeping quarters, a central hall, a kitchen, and a dovecote located at the corner of the house. The houses are constructed using traditional woodworking techniques, with wooden walls adorned with intricate carvings and decorative elements. Designed by Phraya Witsawakam Silpakit (Noi Silapa), the palace features a variety of native Thai trees and plants surrounding the buildings, including the Nang Yaem, Nom Maew, Chan, and Champaka trees. The palace underwent restoration during the bicentennial celebrations of the Rattanakosin Era.

King Rama VI of Siam ordered the construction of this palace to preserve traditional Thai architecture. He also presided over a ceremony to inaugurate the new palace on January 25, 1911. The king stayed overnight at the palace and used it as the headquarters for the Royal Tiger Guard during military exercises.

Next, you will encounter the Maruekhathaiyawan Palace.

The Marie Ratcha Rat Balang Palace is a two-story palace built of golden teak wood and painted red. It features a neoclassical architectural style from Western countries, but some elements have been adapted to suit the hot and humid climate. This palace was built alongside the Chaleemongkol Asana Palace, with a covered walkway in the form of a bridge connecting the upper floor at the back of the Chaleemongkol Asana Palace across a moat to the upper floor at the front of the Marie Ratcha Rat Balang Palace. The bridge has a tiled roof and glass windows on both sides along its length. King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) graciously ordered the construction of this palace around 1916, with Prince Ithidep Sarsuk Kridakorn as the architect. The exterior architectural style resembles a red-painted wooden cottage in the countryside, with a high gable roof. The building plan is in the shape of a cross, but the arms are not of equal length. The interior is divided into two floors. The lower floor on the east side is a large hall that extends to the upper floor. The north-south axis consists of an entrance hall on one side and a maid's bedroom on the upper floor. There are four rooms on the upper floor: a hall on the north side with a door opening onto a covered walkway connecting to the Chaleemongkol Asana Palace, a royal study on the north side, a bedroom on the south side with a door leading to a balcony, and a bathroom on the west side of the bedroom.

The next important point will be the bridge connection, which is Phra Tamnak Charlimongkol Asan.

Chalimongkol Asana Palace: A Unique Blend of Architectural Styles

The Chalimongkol Asana Palace stands out among the royal residences of Sanam Chan Palace. Built around 1908, this two-story structure boasts a unique architectural style that blends French Renaissance elements with English half-timbered construction, adapted to suit the Thai climate.

Designed by Prince Itthithepsan Kritakara, the palace features a symmetrical rectangular layout. The ground floor houses a staircase and a dining room, while the upper floor comprises a central corridor dividing the space into two sections. Each section features a large bedroom and a smaller study, surrounded by a balcony on three sides.

The eastern and western sides of the palace boast semicircular verandas supported by large columns and topped with red-tiled roofs. The most striking feature, however, is the presence of turrets at the corners, each with a conical roof. The central entrance features a rustic porch, while the gables above the balconies showcase European medieval-style motifs.

A doorway on the south side leads to a covered walkway connecting the Chalimongkol Asana Palace to the nearby Maruekhathaiyawan Palace.

In 1915, King Rama VI graciously bestowed the name "Chaleemongkol Asana Palace" upon the royal residence. He also ordered a royal ceremony to inaugurate the palace on February 3, 1917.

The original name of this palace was "Phra Tamnak Lai," named after Lai, a beloved dog of King Rama V.

Another day has passed, and it's time to return to Bangkok.

Use Nakhon Chai Si Intersection as the main route. If you are coming from Bangkok, you can take Phetkasem Road (Highway No. 4) and Pin Klao - Nakhon Chai Si Road (Highway No. 338) to Nakhon Pathom. Both roads above must pass through Nakhon Chai Si Intersection.

From Nakhon Chai Si Intersection, drive straight for approximately 8.5 kilometers until you reach Ban Phae Intersection. (Turn left for Ban Phae, continue straight for Nakhon Pathom and Ratchaburi). Continue straight for another 500 meters and you will find a bridge leading to Nakhon Pathom city center. Drive up the bridge (continue straight for Ratchaburi). Then drive straight for another 3.4 kilometers and you will find a 4-way traffic light intersection. (Continue straight for Phra Pathom Chedi, turn right for Nakhon Pathom Market, turn left for Suphan Buri Province). Turn left and drive straight for approximately 200 meters. Then turn right and drive straight for approximately 1.9 kilometers. Then turn right at the traffic light. After turning right, drive straight for approximately 400 meters and you will reach Sanam Chan Palace.

• Public Bus

From Sai Tai Mai Bus Terminal, take the Bangkok - Suphan Buri bus (non-air-conditioned, old route) / Bangkok - Damnoen Saduak / Bangkok - Ratchaburi (non-air-conditioned) / Bangkok - Kanchanaburi (non-air-conditioned) to Silpakorn University (Nakhon Pathom). Then walk about 400 meters to reach Sanam Chan Palace.

By Train

There are multiple train departures daily from Bangkok/Thonburi Station to Nakhon Pathom Station. From there, you can take a motorbike taxi to Sanam Chandra Palace. Several trains from Thonburi Station stop at Sanam Chandra Palace Railway Halt, allowing access to the palace through Silpakorn University.

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