Palace sights in Thailand
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Hat Tha Wang Palace
At the western end of the island (2km from the pier), you can visit Hat Tha Wang Palace. The carefully managed lawns are a prime picnic spot for visitors from Bangkok, who share the gardens with foraging white squirrels. The palace was once used by Rama V (King Chulalongkorn) over the summer months, but was abandoned when the French briefly occupied the island in 1893. The main throne hall – a magnificent golden teak structure known as Vimanmek Teak Mansion – was moved to Bangkok in 1910. The Fine Arts Department has since restored the remaining palace buildings.
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Phra Nakhon Khiri
Phetburi lives in the shadow of Khao Wang, a looming hill topped by various components of King Mongkut’s 1860 palace, Phra Nakhon Khiri. You can make the strenuous upward climb or head to the west side of the hill and take a funicular straight up to the peak (return adult/child 70/40B). The views from here are fantastic, especially at sunset, and the entire hill teems with meandering monkeys looking for attention. The ticket office will sell you an information pamphlet (5B) that includes a map of the palace grounds.
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Phayathai Palace
West of the Victory Monument roundabout, Phayathai Palace was built by Rama V in 1909 as a cottage for retreats into what was then the country. The surviving throne hall, encased in French glass doors and a fanciful tiered roof, is now part of a hospital complex and is open to the public. Note the limited hours; tours are conducted at 9.30am and 1.30pm on Saturday. The grounds are open at other times. There isn’t much in the way of tourist displays, but it’s worth a visit to survey the architecture of the buildings and escape the sightseeing masses.
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Chao Phraya Wichayen
King Narai built the Thai-European Chao Phraya Wichayen as a residence for foreign ambassadors, of whom the Greek Constantine Phaulkon was the most famous. Phaulkon became one of King Narai's advisers and was eventually a royal minister. He was also implicated in an attempted coup and in 1688, as Narai lay dying, Phaulkon was assassinated by Luang Sorasak, who wanted power for himself. The palace is across the street and northeast of Wat Sao Thong Thong.
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