 Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall, Dusit, Bangkok
Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall
The Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall is a grand building within Dusit Palace. Commissioned by His Majesty King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), it was built in 1915 (some literature I've come across places the year, incorrectly I believe, as 1912) in the Italian Renaissance and Neoclassical architectural style, and cost 15 million baht. The exterior is finished in Carrara marble. The building is two storeys tall. It is 112.5 meters long, 49.5 meters wide and 47.5 meters tall. King Rama V passed away in 1910 and the throne hall was only completed under the reign of His Majesty King Vajiravudh (Rama VI). The name was derived from an earlier throne hall built during the reign of His Majesty King Mongkut (Rama IV) which was in such a bad state that it had to be torn down.
The Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall was used as a reception hall. For a time, it was also used as the Thai parliament building. The lavish interior is open to the public only once a year, which is on the second Saturday of January, for Children's Day. Inside the Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall, there are several paintings depicting the various monarchs of the Chakri Dynasty. On the interior of the dome on the north is a painting of His Majesty King Phra Buddha Yodfa (Rama I) on his return from war with Cambodia. On the eastern dome is a painting of Their Majesties King Phra Buddha Loetla Napalai (Rama II) and King Phra Nang Klao (Rama III). On the western dome is a painting of His Majesty King Mongkut (Rama IV) while on the southern dome is one of His Majesty King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). On the walls under the central dome is the painting of His Majesty King Vajiravudh (Rama VI)'s coronation.
The Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall anchors the northern end of Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue, the broad boulevard that runs from Mahakan Fort, and continue to Sanam Luang as Ratchadamnoen Klang.
Getting there
Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall is not open to the public outside of the second Saturday of January. Some of the guided tours of Vimanmek Mansion may also include a walk to the back entrance of the throne hall. There are no Skytrains or Metro subways operating within its vicinity, so the best way is to take a taxi. If you care to take the bus, then buses 18, 28, 108, air-conditioned 510 and 515 passed through Ratchawithi Road while bus no. 70 passes through U-Thong Nai Road. Along Si Ayutthaya Road, there's also bus 23 and 72.
Nearby Sights
Within Dusit Palace
Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall
Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall
King Rama V Equestrian Statue
Princess Arun-wadi Residential Hall
Princess Puang Soi Sa-ang Residential Hall
Royal Elephant National Museum
Suan Hong Residential Hall
SUPPORT Museum
Vimanmek Mansion
Outside Dusit Palace
Dusit Zoo (Khao Din)
Dusit Park
Chitrlada Palace
SUPPORT Museum
Wat Benchamabophit
Wat Indrawihan
Thewet Flower Market
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Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall (27 October 2006)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Location Map of Dusit in Bangkok
Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall (27 October 2006)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Gate of Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall (27 October 2006)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Gate of Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall (27 October 2006)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
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