BANG PA-IN
The palace is located 18 km. south of Ayutthaya, 58 km. 'north of Bangkok by rail, and 61 km. by road. The Grounds are open daily,  Originally, Bang Pa-in was a riverine island. King Prasat Thong (1630-1655) had a palace built in a lake in the middle of the island as a royal retreat, and it was used by every succeeding Ayutthaya monarch. When the capital moved to Bangkok, the palace was left unused for 80 years. Bang Pa-in was revived by King Rama IV (1851-1868), who had a house built there. His son, King Rama V (1868­1910), liked the place immensely, stayed there every year and constructed the splendid ensemble as it is seen today. Important buildings are :
 
Aisawanthipphaya-at Pavilion
An exquisite Thai teak pavilion, built in the middle of a lake by King Rama V. For reinforcement, King Rama VI had the floor and pillars replaced with concrete.
 
Phra Thinang Utthayan Phumisathian

The original two-storey wooden building, resembling a large dacha, was destroyed by fire during restoration. Now, a concrete
 
Warophat Phiman Hall

This European style building was the Throne Hall where the King received his subjects and visitors. In this hall are paintings of royal historic records, I-nao literature, Phra Aphai Mani literature and the Ramayana epic.
 
Phra Thinang Utthayan Phumisathian
The original two-storey wooden building, resembling a large dacha, was destroyed by fire during restoration. Now, a concrete structure of the same model has been built to replace the original.King Rama VI Theatre Rama IV had this theatre built in his consort's compound.
 
Hemmonthian Thewarat
This Khmer-style stone Prang, situated under a banyan tree beside the long watercourse, replaced an old shrine built by villagers.
 
Saphakhan Ratchaprayun
This two-storey building on the river bank outside the palace wall was constructed by King Rama V as living quarters for courtiers.
 
Withunthassana Hall This hall
In the form of a tower, is a three-storey building with a spiral staircase. King Rama V used it to get a bird's eye view of the surrounding area.
 
Keng Phlapphla Praphat
This Chinese-style pavilion stands within the inner royal compound.
 
Wehat Chamrun Hall
This hall of Chinese Emperor-style was a gift to King Rama V from Bangkok's Chinese merchant community.
 
Monument of Queen Sunantha
This marble monument was built by King Rama V to keep the ashes of his beloved consort.
 
Anusawari Rachanuson King Rama V,
in deep sorrow, had this marble relief memorial built to commemorate his beloved consort and three royal children who passed away at different times in the same year, 1887.
 
Wat niwet thammaprawat
On a small island in the Chao Phraya River, opposite the Royal Palace, King Rama V had this Buddhist temple built in the European Neo-Gothic style with stained glass windows. From Bang Pa-in Palace, visitors can reach the monastery on a hand-cranked cable car.
 
Wat chumphon nikayaram
This monastery stands opposite the train station. Itwas founded in 1632 by King Prasat Thong and was restored in the mid-19th century.
 
Royal Folk Arts And Crafts Centre

The Centre is located within extensive grounds at Bang Sai. Farmers from Ayutthaya and other provinces undergo training in folk arts and crafts here. The centre offers visitors a glimpse of how farmers in

Thailand's four regions live and work and how their local arts and crafts are produced. The centre comes under the Promotion of Supplementary Occupations and Related Techniques (SUPPORT) scheme, established by royal patronage in 1976. Products and activities which can be seen here are fern vien basketry, weaving basketry, artificial flowers, handwoven silk and cotton, silk dyeing, wood carving, miniature hand-modelled Thai dolls, furniture making, cloth products, etc. All the products are for sale. Open daily except Monday, 08.30-16.00. For more information, call 0 3536 6092 or in Bangkoktake a cruise, take a bus from the Northern Bus Terminal, or by car take Highway 306 via Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani.