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Bang Pa-In Royal Palace

Ayutthaya, Thailand

Bang Pa-In Royal Palace

A summer palace by the river, with Thai, Chinese and European buildings set around lakes and gardens, south of Ayutthaya.

Favourite places

  • Aisawan Thiphya-At pavilion

    In the middle of the pond

    A small Thai pavilion standing on the water, the best-known image of the palace. Its reflection on a still morning is the classic photo.

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  • Memorial to Queen Sunanda

    In the gardens

    A marble memorial to the queen who drowned with her daughter in a boat accident on the river in 1880, built by her grieving husband, King Rama V.

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Historical places

  • Wat Niwet Thammaprawat

    Island across the river from the palace

    A Buddhist temple built under King Rama V in the style of a Gothic church, with stained-glass windows. It is reached by a small cable car across the river.

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Local food

  • Grilled river prawns (goong mae nam pao)

    Ayutthaya, Thailand

    Giant freshwater prawns grilled over charcoal and served with a spicy seafood dip. The riverside restaurants around Ayutthaya are known for them.

  • Boat noodles (kuay teow reua)

    Ayutthaya, Thailand

    Small bowls of rich, dark noodle soup with pork or beef, once sold from boats on the canals. Ayutthaya is known for them, and people usually order several bowls each.

Where to eat

  • Riverside restaurants on U Thong Road

    Around the edge of the island

    U Thong Road follows the rivers around the island, and several open-air restaurants along it serve river prawns and Thai dishes with water views.

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Where to stay

  • The old island (around Naresuan Road)

    Ayutthaya, Thailand

    Stay inside the ring of rivers and you can cycle to the main ruins in minutes. Guesthouses and small hotels cluster near the Historical Park and the night market.

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  • Riverside near the railway station

    Ayutthaya, Thailand

    Across the Pa Sak River from the island, close to the trains from Bangkok. Riverside guesthouses here are a short ferry or bridge ride from the old town.

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Culture

Bang Pa-In is still a royal palace and parts of it can close for royal use. The dress code is strict: long trousers or skirts below the knee, covered shoulders and no sleeveless tops. Treat the royal buildings and portraits with respect — criticising the monarchy is a serious offence in Thailand.

History

Ayutthaya kings first built a palace here in the 17th century. King Rama IV and King Rama V rebuilt it in the 19th century; its best-known building is the small Thai pavilion standing in the middle of a pond. Some halls are still used by the royal family.

Tour plans

Summer palace and old capital

1 day

  1. Step 1: Bang Pa-In Royal Palace

    Arrive in the morning and walk or take a golf cart around the gardens.

  2. Step 2: Wat Niwet Thammaprawat

    Cross the river to the Gothic-style temple.

  3. Step 3: Ayutthaya

    Continue north for lunch and the Historical Park.

  4. Step 4: Sunset

    Wat Chaiwatthanaram or an evening boat tour.

Map

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Travel information

Best time to visit

November–February; morning visits are cooler and the gardens are at their best before midday.

How to get there

About 20 minutes south of Ayutthaya by car; trains also stop at Bang Pa-In.

Getting around

The palace is about 20 minutes south of Ayutthaya by car or tuk-tuk; trains from Bangkok stop at Bang Pa-In station, a short ride from the gate. The grounds are large — walk, or rent a golf cart or bicycle at the entrance. The temple across the river is reached by a small cable car.

Travel tips

A strict dress code applies — long trousers or skirts and covered shoulders. Golf carts can be rented.

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