Ayutthaya Royal Palace - Ayutthaya Historical Park With Drone Footage - Thailand 2024

The Royal Palace or The Ancient Palace is located near Wat Mongkol Borpit temple in the UNESCO Historical Park.

Currently there are only the remains of the building's bases without extensive restoration. The best ruins to see are at Wat Phra Si Sanphet. To access the former royal palace you pass through this site and can see the amazing architecture of the Ayutthaya era.

It is presumed that King U-Thong ordered construction of this palace when he stayed in the small Vienglek palace in 1347. Once he successfully formed Bangkok in 1350, he moved to stay in this new palace near Nhon Sanon. The area, where Phra Thinang or throne halls were originally constructed of wood. The original palace is located in the area of Wat Phra Si Sanphet.

Later in 1448, King Phra Borom Trai Lokkanart offered the area of the former palace to be built as a temple in the royal palace area. The temple is "Wat Phra Si Sanphet". Then he ordered construction of a new royal palace located in the north, close to the Lopburi River.

The palaces in the former palace area were the residences of every king in the Ayutthaya period.

Tourists can use Wat Mongkol Borphit's entrance and pass through Wat Phra Si Sanphet then continue walking to the ancient palace.

The palace area is divided into the outer area, the middle area and the inner area. The outer palace area is the location of Phra Thinang Chakkrawat Phaichayon which was used as an observation platform for royal processions and performances. It was also the location of many government offices such as jury court, royal court and account list court.

The middle palace area is the location of three great Maha Prasart which are Phra Thinang Viharn Somdej, Phra Thinang Sanphet Prasart, the main residence of the King, and Phra Thinang Suriya Amarin, which is believed to be the place where the Phra Narai's remain were kept.

The inner palace area is the location of Phra Thinang Banyong Ratanart, Rong Kriang Ton, Phra Thinang Trimook, Phra Thinang Song Puen and the residences of the officers who work in the palace.

The palace opens daily from 08.00-18.00. Any special events at the palace starts between 19.30-21.00 where there are light shows to observe the ancient palace.

The admission fee is 50 baht. Tourists can buy a package of mixed tickets which is 220 baht for a foreigner for all 6 of the main temple ruins in Ayutthaya.

The ruins are not as good as the larger temple ruins due to the lack of restoration. It is still worth time to see and appreciate the size of the palace grounds and see part of the history of the former capital.

Enjoy the video!