 Marukhathaiyawan Palace (Palace of Love and Hope) : |
 Advised by his doctor to rest and restore his health in a cool dry place. His Majesty King Vajiravudh, Rama VI, chose to spend his summer at the seaside in Phetchaburi. However, he become dissatisfied with the Royal Residence at Chao Samran Beach because of unhealthy conditions. His Majesty therefore decided in 1923 to build a summer palace near the beach in Huai Sai Nua, Cha-am District, using materials from the dismantled buildings of the former residence. The new site was drier and cooler, with lush natural forest and fresh water. Few people lived nearby, through a train station was not far away.
 The area, Huai Sai, means the stream where hog deer drink. His Majesty named the new summer palace "Mrigadayavan" which maintained the original meaning of the place while adopting the auspicious name of the park where the Lord Buddha gave his first sermon. His Majesty forbade hunting within the vicinity of Mrigadayavan.
King Rama VI made the first designs of the palace himself. He assured good ventilation with high ceilings and fretwork on all walls. Building the entire structure on stilts ensured the ground could be kept clean. Ants were controlled by niches for water around each concrete pillar and along the plaster walls that connect to the ground. Bringing all his ideas together, His Majesty chose an Italian architect, Ercole Manfredi, who worked in the Civil Works Department to make the final architectural drawings.
The palace consists of three groups of building. All buildings are one story high, built of golden teak, and stand on a total of 1,080 concrete pillars. Covered wooden corridors connect all the buildings.
King Vajiravudh was able to spend only 2 summers, in 1924 and 1925 in this Palace. Then he passed away on November 25, 1925.
Sevakamataya Group of Buildings
The Sevakamataya group of buildings is considered a part of the Front Court, where both men and women could join in official events. It consists of a pavilion-like theatre, an audience hall, an office for the Royal Aide-de-Camp General and a room for night duty chamberlains. This part of the Palace also served as the official entrance for the King.
Bisansagara Group of Buildings
The Bisansagara group of buildings was the King's personal residence. It consists of a Royal Suit which has an office, a bedroom, a dressing room and a bathroom together with a Dining Pavilion. A Royal Bathing Pavilion with changing rooms, and groups of rooms for Royal Pages and other personal.
During his Royal Visit in 1924, King Rama VI found his first group of residence not very comfortable because it was set back far from the sea breezes.
A new building was thus added to the front of the Dining Pavilion. This new building has covered verandas to shade the rooms from sunlight. During the second Royal Visit in 1925, King Rama VI stayed at this new residential complex and gave permission to Chao Chom Savatana, who was pregnant, to stay in the nearby former Royal Residence.
Samudabiman Group of Buildings
The Samudabiman group of buildings formed the Inner court of the palace, where men other than the King were forbidden to enter. This part of the palace begins at the long corridor which branches off from the Bisansagara group.
This group of buildings consists of the residence for H.M. Queen Indrasakdisaci, buildings for her sister, and her entourage during the King's first visit in 1924, a Dining Pavilion, and a Beach Pavilion.
The King usually had his lunch in Thai Style in the Dining Pavilion in the Inner court.
- LOCATION: In Rama VI Camp, Petchakasem Road, Huei Sai Nua, Cha-Am District, Phetchaburi Province, Thailand.
- OPENING HOURS:
- Monday- Friday from 8.30 a.m. - 4.00 p.m.
- Weekend and Public Holidays from 8.30 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.
- ADMISSION: Adult 20 baht - Child 10 baht - Foreigner 90 baht
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