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King Ramathibodi I (U-Thong) founded the city of
Ayutthaya in 1350 A.D. At that time he ordered the
building of a royal palace in which to live. It was
located at what is now Wat Phra Sri San Phet. Five
royal halls are known to us by name these are the
Phaitun Mahaprasat, Phaichayon Mahaprasat, Aisawas
Mahaprasat, Mangkhalaphisek Mahaprasat and Trimuk
Hall. The royal palace was inhabited by successive
kings for 98 years.
The anient wall of the
Royal Palace at the north
King Borommatrailokanat ascended the throne in
1448 A.D. and having handed over the tormer palace to
be used for activities related to the wat, set up his
new palace in the sector north of the former royal
dwelling, near the Lopburi River (the northern city
moat). The royal hall of Bencharatana Mahaprasat and
Snphet Mahaprasat were built first, followed by the
royal hall of Mangkhalaphisek, which was given the
titel "Vihan Somdet." The latter must have been built
in a reign subsequent to that of Borommatrailokanat
but evidence for this theory is not clear. These royal
halls were lived in by sixyeen kings during ascended
of 182 years.
The Water Reservoir
(Tank)
King Prasathong enlarged the palace so that parts
of it adjoined Wat Phra Sri San Phet, and commanded
the construction of two additional royal halls, namely
the Suriyat Amarin and Chakkrawat Phaichayon. Later on
King Narai the Great built the Banyong Ratanat. The
royal palace in the later stages of Ayutthaya numbered
six halls and was dwell in by ten kings throughout a
period of 137 years until the sack of the capital in
1767 A.D.
There are eight forts all around the place
including twenty-two gates (two built over the water)
and one other small entrance.
The grounds of the royal palace can be catagorized
as follows:
1. The outer palace, where Chakkrawat Phaichayon
was situated plus various various offices for royal
officials; for example, buildings for the royal Court
and the accounts department.
2. The middle section of the palace, having three
halls: the Vihan Somdej, Sanphet Prasat and Suriyat
Amarin. Here were also situated some parts of the
treasures plus quarters for the white elephants and
the horsese.
3. The inner area, in which there could be found
the Banyong Ratanat and the Bencharatana Mahaprasat,
living quarters and the royal kitchen.
4. The Phaichayon Bencharatana Garden in which was
the great treasury disignated by various names.
5. The Suan Angun (Grape Garden), the royal garden
of the palace, in which there were the Sa Kaeo and the
Sala Luat quartors.
6. The area of Wat Phra Sri San Phet, where the
royal temple of the palace was located.
7. The Suan Kratai (Rabbit Garden), where Prince
Phonphinit lived, the heir to the throne during the
reign of King Boromma Kot. (1732-1758 A.D.).
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