King Narai’s 17th Century Royal Palace - Lopburi Thailand

King Narai’s Palace

17th Century palace in Lopburi

King Narai’s Palace, officially named Phra Narai Ratchaniwet is the former palace of Ayutthaya King Narai. The ruins of the palace, locally known as Wang Narai are located in the old center of Lopburi.

King Narai the Great, King of Ayutthaya during the second half of the 17th century made Lopburi the second capital of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. He ordered a new palace built near the Lopburi river where he stayed most of the year. The palace was designed by French architects in a mix of Thai and European architectural styles. Construction started in 1665 and was completed 12 years later in 1677.

After King Narai’s death in 1688 the palace was abandoned. Nearly two centuries later King Mongkut ordered restoration of the palace and the construction of several new buildings. Nowadays, the palace buildings are in use as exhibition halls for the Lopburi museum.

The 17 acres palace grounds are enclosed by brick walls covered with plaster. In the walls are thousands of niches shaped as lotus flowers that contained oil lamps that illuminated the palace at night. Eleven gates provide access to the grounds.

King Narai’s Palace consists of buildings from different eras. The oldest date back to the reign of King Narai, the others date from the reign of King Mongkut (Rama IV) around 1860. The palace grounds consists of an inner courtyard, central courtyard and outer courtyard, separated from each other by high walls.

The museum opens Wednesday thru Sunday from 9 am until 4 pm, except on Thai National Holidays.

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