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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 decor 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 +66 32 428-506-10 ext 259, 425-555, 476-171 or +66
2 297-5715, 282-8835.
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