King Narai's Palace

Narai the Great ruled Ayutthaya from 1656 to 1688 and spent eight or nine months of each year at Lopburi, his second capital, where from 1666 he built a walled palace on the site of King Ramesuan's older one, with the help of French and Italian engineers - the architecture mixes Thai and European forms, with pointed Gothic-influenced window openings unusual in Siamese building. His reign was the high point of Franco-Siamese relations: embassies went both ways, Louis XIV received Siamese ambassadors at Versailles, and the Greek adventurer Constantine Phaulkon rose to become Narai's chief minister. It ended badly. In 1688, with Narai dying in this palace, Phetracha seized power in a coup, Phaulkon was executed, the French garrison was expelled and Siam closed to the West for a century and a half. Narai died here during the coup. The grounds now hold ruins of the audience halls, reservoirs and elephant stables, with a national museum in a later Rama IV building.

Background

King Narai's Palace, Phra Narai Ratchaniwet in Thai, stands in Lopburi and was built by King Narai the Great, king of Ayutthaya from 1656 to 1688. He ordered it in 1666 on the same ground as King Ramesuan's Palace, made Lopburi the second capital of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, and lived here for about 8 to 9 months a year, except in the rainy season. The palace was used for relaxation, hunting, affairs of state and the reception of official visitors. Both Lopburi and the palace were abandoned after the king's death in 1688. King Mongkut, Rama IV, later ordered its restoration and added the Phiman Mongkut Pavilion for his stay in 1856. In 1961 the museum in the palace took the name Somdet Phra Narai National Museum.

Source: Wikipedia, "King Narai's Palace"

What's there

• The palace ruins - audience halls, reservoirs and elephant stables in a walled compound.
• The European influence - Gothic-style window openings on Thai buildings.
• The 1688 revolution - where Narai died and Siam closed to the West.
• The museum - in a Rama IV-era building within the grounds.

When to go

November to February. Early or late - the grounds are largely unshaded. Two hours covers the ruins and the museum. Closed on some weekdays.

Good to know

Mostly foundations and shells rather than intact buildings. Little shade. The museum has limited English labelling. Lopburi's macaques range into parts of the town around it.

Nearby

Phra Prang Sam Yot is a short walk; Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat is by the station.

Key facts