Front Palace (Bangkok)

The Phutthaisawan Hall serves as the chapel of the Phra Phuttha Sihing Buddha image

The Front Palace (Template:Lang-th, RTGS: Wang Na), officially the Phraratchawang Bowon Sathanmongkhon (พระราชวังบวรสถานมงคล), was the residence of the royal holder of the same title (usually translated as "viceroy" or "vice king", and sometimes as "Lord" or "Prince of the Front Palace") during the early-to-mid Rattanakosin Kingdom. The palace was built at the same time as the Grand Palace, following the accession of King Rama I and the foundation of Rattanakosin (today's Bangkok) as the capital city in 1782. It was located at the northern end of the inner fortified city, directly in front of the Grand Palace, where the king lived, and provided security to the city.

Most of the front palace was built under Maha Sura Singhanat, who had been named by Rama I, though it saw further additions and modifications throughout the periods. It was home to six Princes of the Front Palace, until the death of Wichaichan in 1885, after which the position was abolished by King Chulalongkorn in favour of a modern succession system. The palace compound was subsequently converted for various functions. Today, only the buildings of the main residence remain, housing the Bangkok National Museum. Other parts of the historical compound are now occupied by Thammasat University, the National Theatre, the Bunditpatanasilpa Institute, and the northern part of Sanam Luang.

References

• เด่นดาว ศิลปานนท์; นัยนา แย้มสาขา; ยุทธนาวรากร แสงอร่าม (2015). "พระรางวังบวรสถานมงคล (วังหน้า)" (PDF) (in Thai). Retrieved 15 November 2019.

External links

• The Front Palace: Wang Na – Wang Na Naruemit exhibit by the Fine Arts Department, at Google Arts & Culture