Ram Ratchaniwet (Ban Puen Palace)

Ram Ratchaniwet, originally called Ban Puen Palace,is
located at Ban Puen sub-district of Muang District. King Rama V ordered construction of the building out of his own funds, to use as a rainy season retreat. Construction got under way in 1909 but unfortunately the King died before the building was completed in 1916. The palace was renamed Ram Ratchaniwet in 1918. The palace is pure western style, as the designers, architects and engineers were all German. The two-storey building, with two domes and a brown tiled roof from China, was styled on Kaiser Wilhelm's Palace in Germany. The single building, Sonphetprasart Palace, is decorated in the baroque, art nouveau and jugendstill styles. The interior d?cor is typical of early 20th century Europe, with liberal use of porcelain dolls and ceramics. Theme colors were used in each room-the dining room is yellow; the king's bedroom gold, the staircase green and so on, together with tiled pillars and cherub statues.

In the reign of King Rama VII, the palace was utilized for royally initiated projects, such as the Boy Scout School, Agricultural Teacher Training College, etc. In 1986, it was renovated under a Fine Arts Department budget. The renovation was completed in the year 1987 and the palace is now used as the Phetchaburi National Museum.

Ram Ratchaniwet is about 20 minutes from Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park. Two routes can be taken to the palace. The first takes Phetkasem Road. After passing Phetcharat Hospital, turn left to Damrongruk Road for approximately 2 km and the palace is on the right hand side. The other route takes Ratchadamnoen Road from Phetchaburi town. Turn left at the intersection with Damrongruk Road, then drive approximately 500 meters and the palace is on the right hand side.

Nowadays, the Royal Thai Army Camp runs the palace. It opens daily from 8.00 am to 4.00 pm and admission is free. For more details, contact (6632) 428-506-10 ext 259, 425-555, 476-171 or (662) 297-5715, 282-8835.

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