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Chankasem National Museum, Chankasem Palace or Wang na is
located at U-Thong road near Pah Sak River in the Northeast of
Muang island which is near Hua Ro market. According to the
historical record, Chankasem palace was built in King Dhamma
Racha reign around 1577 in order to be
the residence of
King Naraesuan Maharacha and was the residence of King Yuparat
and many kings.
When Ayutthaya was attacked and seized
in 1767, the invaders burnt and destroyed this palace and left
it abandonly. Until the reign of King Rama IV of Rattanakosin
dynasty, he commanded to repair the throne hall Phra Thinang
Piman Rattaya and the pavilion in tetrahedron style to be the
residence when
he traveled to Ayutthaya and gave the
name “Phra Ratcha Wang Chankasem” on 26th March 1893. Later in
the reign of King Rama V, he offered Phra Thinang Piman Rattaya
as the old city country office in 1899. When time went by, Lord
Phya Boran Ratthanin took charge of intendant of the old city
county.
He ordered to build office at the wall in the
West and the South and moved the country office from Phra
Thinang Piman Rattaya to that office. The Fine Arts Department
has taken care of the place and renovated it into Chankasem
National Museum until nowadays.
There are interesting
ancient buildings in Chankasem palace namely:
The wall
and the palace gate: At present, there are brick wall decorated
with heart-shaped boundary marker. There is one door on each
side so altogether there are four doors for four sides.
Pavilion in tetrahedron style: It is located near the East
palace gate and made of wood.
There are 3 porticos in
the front and another 3 porticos at the back. At first, it was
used as the hall for an announcement of governable issues and
the residence. Later, it displays ancient items and is now
called Ayutthaya Museum. At present, it exhibits the private
royal tools and equipments which were originally used in this
palace.
Phra Thinang Piman Rattaya: It exhibits
sculptures made from Sila stone. They are made in god figures
and Buddha image with the Nakha above in Lopburi style, the
Buddha image made from bronze in Ayutthaya period, votive
tablets and carved wooden items.
Phra Thinang Pisai
Sayyalak or Hor Song Klong: It is 4-storey tower which is used
to observe stars and constellations. Now it displays five
permanent exhibitions which are about Ayutthaya architecture,
baked pottery and import-export Ayutthaya goods, weapons, items
related to Buddhism and the old city people lifestyle.
If you travel from Bangkok to Ayutthaya city, when you cross
King Somdej Phra Naraesuan Maharat Bridge, turn left and drive
until you reach the Y-intersection. Turn left again and drive
straight for 2 kilometers. Then you will pass Chao Phom market,
the museum is on your left-hand side.
It opens every day
from 09.00 – 16.00 except Mondays, Tuesdays and national
holidays. The admission fee is 30 baht per Thai person and 100
baht per a foreigner. For more information, please call
0-3525-1586, 0-3525-2795 and fax 0-3525-1586.
Those who
are interested in visiting the palace, they should not miss
Chankasem National Museum as the palace was once the important
scene in “The Four Reigns” musical theatre. |
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