Sawatdee ka,
I would like to introduce you another nice destination to visit near Bangkok, Ayutthaya. I have been to Ayuttaya several times, and I never get bored of it. On a very recent day-trip to Ayutthaya, I visited Bang Pa-In Palace, located in Bang Pa-In District, about 20 kilometers away from the city of Ayutthaya.
I took a train from Hua Lam Pong station. The train tickets were free! (For Thai people only) It took me just over an hour to arrive at Bang Pa-In station. Then I took a Tuk-Tuk from in front of the station, it took only 10 minutes to the palace. The Tuk Tuk driver asked only 20 Baht per passenger.
The palace dates back to the seventeenth 17th century, although it did fall into disuse for a long period. The palace was revived by King Mongkut (Rama IV) in the nineteenth century. Today, the palace is only used infrequently by Their Majesties King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) and Queen Sirikit for holding receptions and banquets.
The palace is very European in design. The buildings are laid out along an artificial ornamental pond. In what was formerly the public area of the palace, the lake is a long rectangular pool, lines with formal plantings and the odd folly.
The compound is divided into two sections, the Outer and the Inner palace. The Outer consists of buildings for public and ceremonial uses. The Inner Palace was reserved for the King ans his immediate family.
The principle buildings in Palace are the following:
[1] พระที่นั่งไอศวรรย์ทิพยอาสน์ Aisawan-dhipaya-asana Pavilion (The Divine Seat of Personal Freedom) It is located in the middle of a pond on the palace grounds.
[2] พระที่นั่งเวหารจำรูญ Pra Tinang (Royal Residence) Wehart Chamrun (Heavenly light) was built in Chinese architecture and took 10 years to build. It was completed in 1889.
[3] หอวิฑูรทัศนา Ho (Tower) Withun Thasana (The sages look out) is a large colonial-style building located behind Wehart Chamrun Residential Hall. The observatory was built by King Chulalongkorn in 1881 as a lookout tower for viewing the surrounding countryside.
Getting There
The coolest and most comfortable way to get to Bang Pa In is via one of the many luxury cruises available from riverside hotels. The Chaophraya River Express Boat service also operates a special service on Sundays from the Prachan pier.
You can also reach Bang Pa In by train from Hualampong station like I did.
Admission Fee
There is a fee of 100 Baht (3.34 USD) to enter the palace grounds. Hours are from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, but the ticket office closes at 3:30 pm. Also note that a similar dress code is applied as you visit temples.
Visitors are requested to be dressed properly and appropriately upon entering the ground of Bang Pa-In Palace. Thus the following dress – code (applicable to both ladies and gentlemen) will be strictly enforced:
1. Shorts, mini-skirts, short skirts, tight fitting trousers, as well as tights can not be worn as outer garments.
2. See-through shirts and blouses, as well as culotters or quarter length trousers can not be worn.
3. Sleeveless shirts or vests can not be worn as outer garments.
4. Sandles (without ankle or heel straps) can not be worn.
5. All shirt sleeves, whether long or short, can not be rolled up.
6. Sweat shirts and sweat pants, wind-cheaters, pajamas and fisherman trousers can not be worn.
You can see more photos HERE.
Dear Mod:
I would like to visit Bang Pa Inn Royal Palace again. I read that I can take a train from Hualampong Station and then take a yuk yuk to the Royal Palace.
How do I get from the Royal Palace back to the Bang Pa Inn Train Station and how much.
Appreciate your advice.
Krab Khun Ka.
San
Sawatdii ka San apologies for my late response.
You can catch a Songthaew ( a two bench seats truck) but I don’t know about the fare, it should cost about 30 Baht.
Enjoy your trip! 🙂
Sawadeeka P’Mod.
I’m a mixed Thai, and I’m visiting Thailand in a week’s time.
I would like to know if we can buy sarong at the Palace should the tourists wear short skirts/pants when they visit the Palace? Your purple sarong is very pretty ka! LOVE IT!
Sawatdee ka Nong Ice,
Thank you for visiting my website. Visitors are not allowed to go in with short pants/skirts. The sarong is available for rent at the ticket office with a cheap price. 🙂
Thank you ka P’Mod. Your website is so informative and fun to read! Please keep writing! Susu ka! 😀
Hi Mod,
We plan to visit temples of Ayutthaya and then head to Bang Pa In after. Is there a van that we can ride in Bang Pa In going back to Bangkok? We don’t want to go back to Chao Phrom Market or something for the buses going to Bangkok.
Hi Mod,
Does the Hualumpong train to Bang Pa in station operate every hour? Or do we need to be at Hualumpong train station by 7am to catch the train to Bang Pa-in station? Are there succeeding trips after 7am?
Thanks so much!
Sawatdee ka Camille, There are trains from Hualumpong going to Bang Pa-In at different time throughout out the day. Please see the time table here: http://www.railway.co.th/checktime/checktime.asp?lenguage=Eng
Hi Mod, I was wondering if you know of any places to stay in Bang Pa-In? I enjoy small towns in Thailand as a nice get away from the big city of Bangkok. But I’m not having much luck finding out about what is in Bang Pa-In.
Thanks
Sawatdee ka Kristal, I am sorry I don’t know any accommodation there. I usually went there for one-day trip. I suggest you to stay in Ayutthaya, you will find more options in town. It is not too far from Bang Pa-In : )
Eventhough I took us about 2.5 hour,
We did enjoy the trip!
We went to that Wat that looks like a church. I forgot the name.:-)
We got there by cable car. What a memorable ride!
We went back to Bangkok by van (THB 50 per person) to Morchit in about 70 minutes and took a taxi from the station to have dinner at Somboon Surawong branch! Delicious seafood! Highly recommended!
Thanks Mod
I am glad to hear you enjoyed your trip. I have never been to that Wat before, it sounds interesting. The seafood place sounds great too! Thank you for sharing your information : )
Hi Mod,
I am on the train to Bang Pa In. The train was supposed to leave at 9.25 but about 35 minutes delayed :(.
Hopefully the summer palace is worth a visit.
Thanks
Sawatdee ka Kunai, I am sorry to hear that you had the train delay. Hope you enjoy the journey as well as the palace : )
Hi Mod, My wife and I have been to Bang Pa in. We loved it there.