Phrabat Somdej Phra Monkut Klao Chaoyuhua Museum
(Sanam Chan Palace) Located in the town of Nakhon Pathom 2 Kms. west of
Phra Pathom Chedi. It occupies an area of about 888 Rais (about 355
acres). The palace was constructed by command of King Rama VI in the
year 1907 when he was the Crown Prince. Phraya Silprasit supervised
the construction which, in the beginning, there were two halls: Phra
Thinang Phiman Pathom and Phra Thinang Aphirom Reudi, both halls were
granted names on August 27, 1911. Later, the Ratanasingh altar that
was housed in Samakki Mukamat Hall was adorned with the royal umbrella
on June 7, 1923.
The construction of this palace was inspired by the renovation of Phra
Pathom Chedi which were to the satisfaction of King Rama VI. The King
saw that Nakhon Pathom was an ideal place for a leisurely stay due to
the magnificent landscape. Furthermore, King Rama VI also saw that
Nakhon Pathom had the ideal terrain capable of deterring invasion by
enemy forces using the river as their route. This resembles to the
Rattanakosin Era year 112 incident, whereby French troops anchored
their battleships at the mouth of the Gulf of Thailand blocking the way
out and King Rama VI did not want this kind of incident to be
repeated. He also intended to converted Sanam Chan Palace to be the
heart of the second capital should a crisis again develop.
Sanam Chan Palace covers a vast area with a big court in the middle,
surrounded by ring roads, with water canals on the outer perimeter. The
beautiful halls that located in the middle of the Palace include:
Phiman Pathom Hall It is the first hall to
be built in the Sanam Chan Palace. It is of European architecture, a
2-storey building in which King Rama VI resided before his ascension to
the throne. There are several rooms in the hall including His
majesty’s bedroom, bathroom, dining room, and dressing-room among
others. In this hall, on a 2-metre teak bench, King Rama VI saw a
miraculous vision of the Phra Pathom Chedi, later this hall was called
“Phra Thinang Pathihan Tassanai” (the hall in which the King saw the
miracle). At present, the bench is located in front of the
Phutthaisawan Hall, located in the National Museum. As for the Phiman
Pathom Hall, it now house a part of the Nakhon Pathom City Hall.
Apirom Reudi Hall It is
a 2-storey hall located to the south of Phiman Pathom hall. At present
it houses the offices of the Nakhon Pathom City Hall.
Vatchari Romya Hall This is a 2-storey
hall. It was built in Thai architecture: multi-layered roof with
colourful tiles on the turret; with a swan-like finial on the roof
ridge, representing the head of garuda and small finials jutting out of
the 2 corners of the gable. When King Rama VI accessed to the throne,
it was his temporary residence. Presently, it is a part of the City
Hall.
Samakki Mukmat Hall This is a Thai style
hall. The building is raised 1-metre above the ground with 2
staircases running down on both sides. This hall is connected to the
Vatchari Romya Hall by a door. It was a meeting hall for King Rama VI
and also where he holds court. Furthermore, the hall was also used as
a Khone theatre (Khone is a kind of Thai play performed by dancers
wearing masks). When the Khone was performed, the performers could
stage their performances on the surrounding 3 terraces as well as on
the stage. There are two other theatres which are similar: Suan
Misakawan theatre and Vachiravut School’s auditorium. At present, this
hall is a meeting hall of Nakhon Pathom province; it is also used to
hold other provincial ceremonies.
Phra Tamnak Chali Monkol-asna This is
located nearby in the Southeastern direction. The 2-storey building is
of European architecture, plastered in caramel-yellow, with roof tile
in red. It was used as a temporary residence of King Rama VI when
there were missions that involved with Suer Pah Unit.
Phra Tamnak Mari Ratchrat Banlang This is a
2-storey wooden building and painted in red The building is located
opposite Phra Tamnak Chali Monkol-asna and are connected via a walk
way. This walk way resembles a bridge with a roof, walls, and
windowsThe path walk is similar to a bridge, decorated with roof, wall,
and windows as tall as the entire height of the walls.
Phra Tamnak Tabkaeo This is a small building
that used to be a temporary residence during winter time. At present,
after a renovation it is a residence of the Palad Changwat of Nakhon
Pathom. Within the building, there is a fireplace and on the wall is a
black and white portrait of King Rama VI done on a slate of white
marble. Around 450 Rais (180 acres) of land to the rear of the
building is now the campus ground of the Silpakorn University.
Phra Tamnak Tabkwan This a teak building
with a palm leaf roof. It is situated on the opposite side of the road
from Phra Tamnak Tabkaeo, a little further away from Phra Tamnak Mari
Ratchrat Banlang. Under the royal command of King Rama VI, the teak
building was constructed to preserve traditional Thai architecture. It
is also used for merit-making and some times classic Thai performances
would also be held at this building.
Thevalai Kanaesuan or Phra Pikkanesh Shrine
It was built to house the image of Phra Pikkanaesuan (or Ganesh), the
Indian god of arts. The shrine is located in a large field, in front
of the Sanam Chan Palace and is in the centre of the Palace compound.
The shrine is deeply revered and is considered the sacred symbol of
Sanam Chan Palace.
Ya-Lei Monument This is an actual size iron
cast figure. The dog, Ya-Lei, was very close to the heart of King Rama
VI. Ya-Lei was a hybrid dog born in the Nakhon Pathom prison. King
Rama VI found it when he inspected the prison. Ye-Lei was very
fortunate to have caught the eye of the King and was brought to the
palace. Ya-Lei was a very smart and loyal dog. The King was very fond
of Ya-Lei, so much so that Ya-Lei was envied, and was later shot by an
envious person. King Rama VI was much saddened when Ya-Le passed away
and commanded that a copper statue of Ya-Lei be cast and placed on a
pedestal in front of Phra Tamnak Chali Monkol-asna. The King composed
a poem for Ya-Lei that was inscribed below sculpture.
Additionally, there are residential buildings in the Sanam Chan Palace
compound that housed the King’s staff. Some of the buildings are
run-down while others are still in good condition. Chao Phraya
Ramrakop’s residence, then called “Tab Charoen”, is one of the
buildings still in good condition which, at present, houses the office
of the Nakhon Pathom Public Health.
Sanam Chan Palace is the most favourite palace of King Rama VI, judging
from his frequent visits to this palace. His stays at this palace are
always at the same time as the military exercises of the Suer Pah
Unit. The King would always inspect the Unit and also command the
Unit’s exercise. At present, the buildings that were built to serve
the Suer Pah Unit, such as the living quarters of the Suer Pah Cavalry
Unit and Ranger Unit, and a Suer Pah hospital, can still be seen.
Currently, part of Sanam Chan Palace is under the care and
responsibility of Silpakorn University and Nakhon Pathom Province. It
is open to the public from Thursday to Sunday, 09.00-16.00. Admission
for Thais: an adult fee is 30 Baht, a child fee is 10 Baht. Admission
for foreigners is 50 Baht. In case of a group visit, prior approval
from Silpakorn Universityis required. Contact can be made at Silpakorn
University, Sanam Chan Palace, Nakhon Pathom, tel: 0 3424 4237, 0 3424
4236-7 Fax: 0 3424 4235
 Read our report about visiting Sanam Chan Palace
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