King Narai's Palace

It is divided into the outer court, middle court, and inner court. The palace walls are made of brick and plaster, with boundary stones lined up along the ramparts. There are a total of 11 gates. The entrance gates are quadrangular with pointed archways. The pediments of the gates are decorated with stucco patterns evolved from lotus flowers. The gates and walls of the middle and inner courts have small, pointed arch-shaped openings lined up like lotus petals, approximately 2,000 of them, for placing lanterns. Later, King Mongkut, Rama IV, ordered its repair and named it King Narai's Palace. Structures built during the reign of King Narai the Great include:

• Dusit Sawan Thanyamaha Prasat Hall: This hall features a blend of Thai and French art. Originally, it was the throne hall with a pointed roof in the shape of a Mondop. In the center of the throne hall was a Siang Ban Cher, from which the king would appear to converse with visitors. The doors and windows of the throne hall at the front are pointed arches, while the Mondop part at the rear has doors and windows in the Thai style, namely pointed archways with pedestal bases. French envoy records describe the hall as being decorated with mirrors imported from France. The ceiling is divided into four square compartments, decorated with gold floral patterns and crystal glass from China, making it very beautiful. The outer walls of the hall, on the lower Mondop level, have pointed arch openings for placing lanterns, similar to those found in abundance on the gates and walls of the palace. King Narai the Great received the French envoy, Chevalier de Chaumont, at this hall in 1685 B.E. (1685 A.D.).
• Chanthra Phisal Hall: Built in 1665 B.E. (1665 A.D.), it served as King Narai's residence. It was built on the original foundation of a hall constructed by Phra Ramet, the eldest son of King Uthong, when he governed Lopburi. This hall is of pure Thai architecture, with a projecting porch at the front. Later, when Sutthasan Sawan Hall was built, King Narai moved to reside in the new hall and designated Chanthra Phisal Hall for holding court, which aligns with French records describing it as the council meeting hall.
• Sutthasan Sawan Hall: This was King Narai's private residence, located within the inner court. French records state that this hall was situated within a shady royal garden, where the king personally planted various trees. The roof of the hall is covered with yellow glazed tiles. At each of the four corners are large pools of water for the king's bathing. King Narai the Great passed away at this hall on July 11, 1688 B.E. (1688 A.D.).
• Teuk Phra Chao Hao (House of Pharaoh Chao): Located south of the outer court, this building clearly exhibits the architectural style of King Narai's era. It is a rectangular building, 10 meters wide and 20 meters long, raised about 1 meter above the ground. The building itself is in the Thai style, with a foundation of laterite and another layer of brick. Currently, only the doors and windows remain, featuring pointed archways with pedestal bases. Because a pedestal for a Buddha image is visible inside the building, and French records identify it as a temple, it is presumed to be a shrine for the palace. Teuk Phra Chao Hao, or rather Teuk Phra Chao Hao, where 'Hao' is an ancient Thai word meaning sky. Towards the end of King Narai's reign, Phra Phetraja and Khun Luang Sorasak used Teuk Phra Chao Hao as a meeting place for officials and soldiers to plot the seizure of the throne while King Narai was seriously ill.
• Guest Reception Building: Located in the outer court, this building is of French architecture. French records state that this building was situated in the center of a garden divided into square plots around the building, with a moat surrounding it. Within the moat, there were 20 fountains arranged at intervals. The front of the reception building has a brick foundation, indicating that a small building might have been a theater where performances were held for visiting envoys after meals. King Narai the Great hosted banquets for the French delegation at this location in 1685 B.E. (1685 A.D.) and 1687 B.E. (1687 A.D.).

Structures built during the reign of King Mongkut, Rama IV, include:

• Piman Mongkut Royal Palace Complex: King Mongkut ordered its construction in 1862 B.E. (1862 A.D.) to serve as his residence during his visit to restore Lopburi. It consists of 4 halls: Piman Mongkut Hall as the residence, Wisut Vinnitchai Hall as the throne hall for administering the kingdom, Chaiyasatkorn Hall for storing weapons, and Akson Sastrakrom Hall. During the reign of King Chulalongkorn, Rama V, it was designated as the Provincial Hall. Later, when the Provincial Hall was moved to a new location, this palace complex, along with Chanthra Phisal Hall and Phra Praphet complex, became the Somdej Phra Narai National Museum.
• Phra Praphet Building Complex: This was part of the inner court, built to accommodate royal consorts and ladies-in-waiting who accompanied King Mongkut during his visit to Lopburi.
• Tim Dab or Guardhouse: When passing through the entrance gate to the middle court, on both sides of the entrance, one will see open pavilions on each side. These are buildings constructed as resting places for the palace guards.

King Narai's Palace is open daily from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The Somdej Phra Narai National Museum is open Wednesdays to Sundays (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays) from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Admission Fee: 30 Baht for Thai nationals, 150 Baht for foreigners.