Guest fountainhall Posted February 5, 2011 Posted February 5, 2011 Anyone visiting Bangkok should consider spending an hour at the amazing Arts of the Kingdom Exhibition at the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall off U-Thong Nai Road. Some of the exhibits are exquisite, especially those crafted in gold, almost as though they were spun from silk. One is the Suphannabhetra, a gorgeous ship of gold nielloware. Others are replicas of royal thrones and barges, and perfectly lovely screens. Entry is Bt. 150. The Exhibition opened at the time of the King’s birthday in 2007. It proved so popular that it was decided to make it a permanent one. I bought some excellent cards they have on sale in the large gift shop, but forgot to scan them before sending them to friends! So I cannot post any photos. But there is a slide show and some excellent images on this site – http://www.tatnews.org/events/events/2008/may/3782.asp The Throne Hall alone is worth the visit. It’s a two-storey white marble building constructed during the reign of King Rama V. Ordered to be built by the King and designed by Italian architects, it has a magnificent dome and features amazing renaissance architecture. It once served as the site of the National Assembly and was used to receive state guests. Now, some important royal ceremonies and state meetings are held in this hall. You may have seen a very popular photo of the royal guests surrounding the Thai Royal Family on the occasion of a dinner to mark the King’s 60th anniversary on the throne. Inside, the second floor feels very like a small beautifully decorated cathedral in a cruciform layout with the Throne in the centre – quite unlike any other building I have seen in the Kingdom. Quote
pong Posted February 8, 2011 Posted February 8, 2011 please note for the time being; This place (across from the zoo, and very near to Wat Benchamabopit, the marble temple) is right smack at the side of the yellow PAD-demo area. This means traffic is very congested and has to take big ways around. Have no fear-there is no strife, but it is mainly inconvenient. BUS 70 is the only one crossing this road, but is currently rerouted. (Sanam Luang-BangSue/MRT-Prachachuen-Prachanivet) Nearest BTS is Phiyathai, but I advice anyone to go to Vict. Monmt instead and take taxi, or bus 18/28/108 Go down left hand exit to find these) from there. Get of when they pass the zoo-and then go left into the street=street with this hall, which hjas a kind of Capitol-lokalike cupola on top. Quote
