Thailand Guide
The central plains
Chantharakasem Palace Museum
Opening time: Wed– Sun 8.30am–4.30pm
Price: B30
Address: Thanon U Thong
Website: www.thailandmuseum.com
The Chantharakasem Palace Museum was traditionally the home of the heir to the Ayutthayan throne. The Black Prince, Naresuan, built the first wang na (palace of the front) here in about 1577 so that he could guard the area of the city wall that was most vulnerable to enemy attack. Rama IV (1851–68) had the palace rebuilt and it now displays many of his possessions, including a throne platform overhung by a white chat, a ceremonial nine-tiered parasol that is a vital part of a king's insignia. The rest of the museum features beautiful ceramics and Buddha images, and a small arsenal of cannon and musketry from the late Ayutthaya and early Bangkok periods.