Things to Do at Bang Pa-In Royal Palace

Complete Guide to Bang Pa-In Royal Palace in Ayutthaya

About Bang Pa-In Royal Palace

A golden Thai pavilion sits in the middle of a lake, reflecting perfectly in the still water. Fifty meters away, a red-and-gold Chinese mansion rises behind a dragon-lined staircase. Around the corner, a grey stone building could pass for a Victorian English country house. Bang Pa-In Royal Palace, 20 km south of Ayutthaya, is what happens when a 19th-century Thai king with a passion for world architecture builds his summer retreat with no design constraints. King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) rebuilt the complex in the 1880s, mixing Thai, Chinese, Italian Renaissance, and Gothic Revival styles across manicured gardens connected by bridges and waterways. The Phra Thinang Aisawan Thiphya-Art, the Thai pavilion in the lake, is the most photographed building - it appears on postcards and bank notes. The Chinese-style Wehat Chamrun Palace, a gift from the Chinese community, has ornate woodwork and porcelain tiles shipped from China. The Italianate Phra Thinang Warophat Phiman served as the official reception hall. The whole complex is still used by the royal family, which is why some buildings are closed to visitors.

What to See & Do

Aisawan Thipphaya Pavilion

The iconic floating pavilion in the middle of the pond - it's probably the most photographed structure here and genuinely beautiful, especially when the light hits it right in late afternoon

Wehart Chamrun Palace

The Chinese-style mansion that feels like it was transplanted directly from imperial China, complete with intricate woodwork and that distinctive upturned roofline

Warophat Phiman Hall

A European-style building that houses the throne hall - the Victorian Gothic architecture feels surprisingly at home in the tropical setting

Ho Withun Thasana

The observatory tower offers decent views over the complex, though you'll need to climb a fair number of stairs to get there

Palace Gardens and Waterways

The landscaped grounds are worth exploring slowly - there are bridges, smaller pavilions, and plenty of spots where you can sit and take in the eclectic architecture

Practical Information

Opening Hours

Daily 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:30 PM)

Tickets & Pricing

100 THB adults, free for children under 120 cm. Golf cart rental: 400 THB per hour (the grounds are large and hot - worth it). Long pants and covered shoulders required - sarongs available at the entrance for 20 THB deposit. Electric boat tours of the surrounding canals run from the dock near the entrance.

Best Time to Visit

Early morning (8-10 AM) or late afternoon (3-5 PM) for better light and fewer crowds. Weekdays tend to be quieter than weekends

Suggested Duration

Plan for 2-3 hours if you want to see everything at a relaxed pace, though you could easily spend half a day here if you're into photography

Getting There

Trains from Hua Lamphong Station reach Bang Pa-In in 1.5 hours for just 15-30 THB. From there, grab a tuk-tuk or songthaew to the palace. Dead simple. If you're staying in Ayutthaya, your guesthouse can arrange transport-or rent a bicycle and cycle there. Driving takes an hour from Bangkok via Highway 32, and the palace has parking. Three easy options.

Things to Do Nearby

Ayutthaya Historical Park
The main temple ruins of the ancient capital - Wat Mahathat and Wat Phra Si Sanphet are the keys, about 20 minutes north

Wat Chaiwatthanaram
One of Ayutthaya's most photogenic temple complexes, especially beautiful at sunset, located on the opposite bank of the Chao Phraya

Ayutthaya Floating Market
A decent floating market that's less touristy than some of the Bangkok options, good for trying local snacks and boat noodles

Chao Sam Phraya National Museum
Houses artifacts recovered from Ayutthaya's temples - worth a visit if you want context for what you're seeing at the ruins

Tips & Advice

Bring a hat and water - there's limited shade in some areas and it can get quite hot, especially midday

The palace has a dress code (covered shoulders and knees), but it's less strictly enforced than at active temples

If you're combining this with Ayutthaya's main sites, consider renting a bicycle for the day - the roads are relatively flat and bike-friendly

The floating pavilion photographs best from the designated viewing area on the opposite side of the pond, not from directly in front