Chandrakasem Palace (Chandrakasem National Museum)

Chandrakasem Palace is thought to have been built around 1577 during the reign of King Phra Maha Thammaracha and was used as the residence of King Naresuan the Great when travelling from Phitsanulok to visit his father in Ayutthaya. After the position of “Wang Na” was given to Krom Phra Ratchawang Bowon Sathan Mongkhon it was used thereafter as the residence of the successor to the throne (Wang Na). It was later used by King Ekathotsarot, Chaofa Suthat, King Narai the Great, Khun Luang Sorasak (Phrachao Suea), King Thai Sa, King Borommakot and Krom Phra Ratchawang Bowon Maha Sena Phithak.

The palace is located at Hua Ro, once considered a point of strategic value to Ayutthaya since it is where the Lop Buri and Pa Sak Rivers combine. King Naresuan the Great used this same site as a stronghold during the Hanthawaddy or Pegu battle of 1586.

After the second fall of Ayutthaya the palace was destroyed and abandoned until King Rama IV ordered the construction of cruciform Chaturamuk Pavilion and Phiman Rattaya Hall to be used for his visits to the old city. These would later be named “Chandrakasem Palace”.

During the reign of King Rama V the Great one particular governor of the Ayutthaya Precinct, Phraya Boran Ratchathanin, had a keen interest in history. He extensively studied the history of the Precinct and collected significant objects from around the old city to be stored at Chandrakasem Palace. In 1902, Prince Damrong Rajanubhab suggested that it should be established as the “Boran Museum”. On 23 February, 1904, King Rama V the Great ordered the objects be put on exhibition at Chaturamuk Pavilion. Balconies were constructed along the North and East sides of the building to house displays for some objects, including stone inscriptions and sculptures. It was then called the “Ayutthaya Museum”.

On 12 February, 1936, the Fine Arts Department announced that the Ayutthaya Museum would once again undergo a name change to the “National Museum Chandrakasem”, the first museum of Ayutthaya.

The regional office, Mahathai Building, contains an exhibition covering the lifestyle and history of Ayutthaya city through different cycles. The buildings that make up the Phiman Rattaya Hall, which at one time was used as the city hall during the reign of King Rama VII, are of a distinctly Western architectural style and currently hold a collection of Buddha images and wood-carvings from the Ayutthaya and Rattanakosin periods.

Formerly the residence of King Rama IV, the Chaturamuk Pavilion now exhibits some of the king’s personal belongings.

Another building of note on the site is a 4-storey structure known as “Phisai Sanlalak” or “Ho Song Klong”, which was constructed in King Narai the Great’s period to watch enemy movements. King Rama IV later had it restored as an observatory.

Each visit provides a fascinating insight into history through the exhibited items and the marvelious architecture, as well as its continuing influence today.