Central Thailand / Bang Pa-In
Bang Pa-In is a small town, 58km (36mi) north of Bangkok by rail, 61km (38mi) by road. The place is famous for its Royal Palace compound, typically visited on tours from Bangkok to Ayutthaya.
The palace, surrounded by a lake 400m (1312ft) long and 40m (131ft) wide, and the Wat Chumphon Nikayaram, were originally built by King Prasattong (reigned 1630-1655). Bang Pa-In was used as a country residence by every Ayutthayan monarch after King Prasattong, but when the new capital was established in Bangkok, Bang Pa-In was left unoccupied for 80 years. It was only during King Mongkut’s reign (1851-1868) that Bang Pa-In regained importance as a Royal residence. King Mongkut stayed there and had a new palace built.
His son, King Chulalongkorn (Rama V, reigned 1868-1910) liked the place, stayed there every year and constructed the Royal Palace as it is seen today.
Accommodation
Phra Intaraja; Tambon Chiangraknoi
53 rooms, sgl/dbl 150-300 (f, ac)
Buildings in/around the Palace Compound
The Bang Pa-In Palace compound is open daily 8:00-12:00 and 13:00-15:00. Admission fee is 50 Baht.
Phra Thinang Aisawan Thippa-at
A pavilion in the middle of the lake; it replaced a former building of the same name erected by King Prasattong.
Phra Thinang Warophat Piman
This pavilion occupies the site of the pavilion built during King Mongkut’s reign. King Mongkut’s pavilion had two storeys, the upper with the king’s apartment, the lower being a reception hall. When the court was transferred to another building, the decaying pavilion was demolished and replaced by the new one which now serves as a hall for state ceremonies.
Phra Thinang Uthayan Phumisathian
The structure was almost totally destroyed by fire in 1938. Formerly used as a high-water season residence, only a few bricks remain.
Phra Thinang Wehat Chamrun
Phra Thinang Wehat Chamrun is a Chinese-style building where the court generally resided during the rainy and cool seasons.
Phra Thinang Withun Thatsana
The structure is an observatory standing on a small island between Phra Thinang Uthayan and Phra Thinang Wehat Chamrun. A commanding view of the surrounding countryside can be enjoyed from here.
King Prasattong Shrine
The King Prasattong Shrine at the edge of the lake was erected during King Chulalongkorn’s reign.
Wat Nivet Thamaprawat
This is a remarkable building constructed during King Chulalongkorn’s time on the outer island, south of the Royal Palace. The temple was built in Gothic style, resembling a Christian church. One has to cross the Chao Phaya river to visit this temple.
Wat Chumphon
The Wat by the bridge on the way from the railway station was built by King Prasattong and subsequently restored. There are two Chedis (relic shrines).
Transportation
Bangkok - Bang Pa-In
Two trains departing daily from Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Station at 7:05 and 8:30 for northern destinations stop at Bang Pa-In at 8:27 and 9:55, respectively. There are many more connections to Ayutthaya, from were there is convenient transportation on passenger pick-ups. Fare (excluding surcharges for rapid or express trains and aircon) is 12 Baht for 3rd class, 26 Baht for 2nd class and 49 Baht for 1st class. The rail distance is 58km.
Buses from Bangkok’s Northern Bus Terminal on Phahonyothin Road; 63km, non-aircon 13 Baht, 5:40 and every 10min until 19:00
Bang Pa-In - Bangkok
Two trains coming from northern destinations stop at Bang Pa-In on their way to Bangkok at 13:28 and 16:29. Arrival is at 14:55 and 17:50, respectively. For fares and distance see entries under the opposite direction.
By Boat
There are no public boats between Bangkok and Bang Pa-In. However, the Oriental Hotel organizes a one-day excursion to Ayutthaya and Bang Pa-In, departing daily at 8:00. Tourists can either go by the Oriental Queen river cruiser and return by aircon coach, or the other way around. Tickets, including a buffet lunch, cost 850 Baht. For further information one may call the Oriental Hotel, Oriental Lane, Charoen Krung Road (Tel 236-0400 to 9) or contact any travel agent.
A similar tour is available on the Ayutthaya Princess which departs daily at 8:00 at the Shangri-la Hotel. Reservation at the office of the Ayutthaya Princess Company, Kian Kwan Building, 140 Wireless Road, Tel 255-9200 to 4.
The Chao Phaya Express Boat Company offers Sunday tours along the Chao Phaya River up to Bang Pa-In for just 140 Baht. Visited are the Thai Folk Art & Handicrafts Center in Bang Sai and Wat Phai Lom, with its sanctuary for open-billed storks. For information and reservations, Tel 222-5330.
Similar programs are offered by the Mit Chao Phaya Express Boat Company. Tel 221-2297 or 225-6179 for details.
Ayutthaya - Bang Pa-In
For traveling between Ayutthaya and Bang Pa-In, passenger pickups (songthaews) regularly leave from Chao Prom Market, Chao Prom Road in Ayutthaya, from 6:30. First departures in Bang Pa-In are after the first passenger pickups from Ayutthaya have arrived. Fare is 30 Baht. Because the passenger pickups usually stop many times on route, the trip takes 50min.
Possible Tours
For TAT recommended tours to Ayutthaya including Bang Pa-In see the entries on Ayutthaya above.
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