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Phra-Thinang Chakraphat-Phiman
Phra-Thinang Chakraphat-Phiman is the main buildinh of the group, situated in the inner quarters. On the gable board there is a carving in relief of Indra seated in an open-sided celestial chariot and surin an open-sided celestial chariot and surrounded by decorative motifs in the shape of Naga heads.
Chakraphat-Phiman is a living apartment containing the royal bed chamber and a big sitting room which now houses the royal regalia. It is the custom for a newly crowned king to spend a night in this palace of his fore-father to indicate that he has assumed similar responsibility for and power over the realm.
In front of this section is an antechamber, decorated with interesting murals depicting the seals of state--the Royal Lion of the Ministry of Interior, the Elephantine-Lion of the Ministry of Defence
and the Deity of the Crystal Lotus of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. On the walls are pictures of Hindu heavens and divinities adopted by Buddhism for decorative purposes.
The bed chamber is to the east, and contains the original bed of King Rama I. The first few monarches used this building as their living quarters but the kings of later timers built their own residences. They come here only to spend the night of
the coronation in accordance with tradition.
At the rear of this building are annexes on the right and left. Both of them are small with raised bases; roofs are of glazed tiles and gilt wood decorations.
These annexes were the living quaters of court ladies and King Rama VI called them as "Phra-Thinang Thepsathanphilat" and "Phra-Thinang Theppha-atphilai" respectively.
Phra-Thinang Phaisan-Thaksin
This lines parallel to Phra-Thinang Chakraphat-Phiman and in front of it. Indra is seen on the gable board, seated in the celestial palace with three spires.
An important part of the coronation ceremony takes place in this hall. On an octagonal throne the King receives the invitation from the representatives of the people to rule over kingdom.
On the coronation throne, called "Phattharabit" he receives the royal regalia, including the crown and the nine-tired white umbrella from the Chief Court Brahmin.
The inner circle of King Rama I's family regularly used this hall, and when he was taken seriously ill towards the end of his life he chose to lie here. He called meetings here instead of at the royal audience hall,
taking his position at the Siha Banchon window through which he looked down on officials reporting state affairs.
In the middle of the hall is an altar where was placed the symbolic guardian figure of Siam "Phra Siam Devadhiraj". There are also two thrones used during the coronation ceremony, called
Phra-Thinang Atthathit Uthumphon Ratcha-at at the eastern end of the room and Phra-Thinang Phattharabit to the west. West of the Phaisan-Thaksin Hall is a small chamber where images of the Buddha are kept.
The Amarinthra-winitchai Audience Hall (left)
Phra-Thinang Amarinthra-winitchai Mahaisun-Phiman
(The Amarinthra-winitchai Audience Hall)
This is located in front of the central part of the precinct. It is an audience hall lying north to south, with the floor slightly raised. In front of this hall there is an open annex built by King Rama IV with small wings on the left and right.
The gable end of the hall is carved with a similar pattern as that of Phaisan-Thaksin Hall. The pillars inside the hall were originally hewn from tree trunks. These were later strengthened by surrounding them with bricks and mortar to form square pitters in the reign of King Rama III.
There are two thrones in this hall which were made in the time of King Rama I; the upper throne in the shape of boat which is now used as an altar, and another in front of it which is surmounted by the nine-tiered umbrella. In the olden days it was the formal audience hall where
the king met his officials to discuss state affairs. The two British Ambassadors--John Crawfurd during the reign of King Rama II, and Sir John Bowring during the reign of King Mongkut (Rama IV) --were both received here. This audience hall is used for many ceremonies such as
Their Majesties' Birthday rites and merit making ceremonies. The king also receives the credentials of foreign envoys in this hall.
Phra-Thinang Bussabokmala Maha-Phiman
This is located at the bottom of the steps in front of the Thewarat Mahesuan door through which kings walk to the Phaisan-Thaksin Hall. The early kings sat here to receive guests at various state functions.
Phrathaen Mahaswetachat
Situated in front of Phra-Thinang Bussabokmala Maha-Phiman, it is the king's throne when he grants a grand audience at significant royal ceremonies, especially the Coronation. Thus it is the throne on which the king commences his regal duties.
Ho Phra Sulalai Phiman
Besdes the already mentioned halls in this group of palace buildings, two other halls were built by King Rama I :- Ho Phra Sulalai Phiman and Ho Phra That Monthian. Ho Phra Sulalai Phiman is a small one-storey hall which was originally called "Ho Phrachao Ni",
lying to the east of Phra-Thinang Phaisan-Thaksin. There is a verandah joining it with the hall. The gable board is decorated with the motif in the form of a lion's tail. Sacred objects including a Relic of the Buddha and Buddha images are kept here.
Ho Phra That Monthian
Situated in the west of Phaisan-Thaksin Hall, Ho Phra That Monthian is the same size and shape as the Ho Phra Sulalai Phiman. The gable board is decorated with a Chinese floral and foliage design. Here are kept the ashes of the Royal ancestors.
Inside the verandah of the Phaisan-Thaksin Hall, called Phra Chaliang Na Ho, there is a mural painting which is said to be the work of King Rama II. It consists of Chinese symbols of good fortune at the top and at the bottom a procession of boats on the river and the stalls of royal elephants and horses.
Phra-Thinang and Ho (small hall) within the wall of Amarinthra-winitchai Hall
The northern wall of the Amarinthra-winitchai Audience Hall was expanded with the newly built audience hall in front. The spires over the gtes were shaped in the form of crowns. At the front there are three doors with three spires, while the gate on the west has only one spire.
Phra-Thinang Dusidaphirom
This pavilion was built in the time of King Rama I. It is at the corner where the western and northern walls meet. The original building was a tall wooden one. Bricks and mortar were added during the reign of King Rama III. On the north and east, at the central doors are mounting platforms for palanquin and elaphant respectively.
This pavilion is a robing chamber for the king arriving or departing by palanquin or elaphant.
Ho Sastrakhom
Situated by the eastern wall, this was built as an open pavilion by King Rama I, but King Rama IV had it pulled down to make way for a building similar to the others. The pediment-like niches above the door and window are decorated with stylized peony pattern.
In this hall the Mon monks chanted over the lustral water with the king bathed. At present th monks are invited to perform rites here only on special occasions.
Phra-Thinang Ratcharudi
This hall is situated on the eastern side of Amarinthra-winitchai. It was built by King Rama VI and at first called "Phra-Thinang Chanthrathipyophat". The name was changed to Ratcharudi in association with a building in Sino-European style which had been built by King Rama IV on the same spot.
But was pulled down during the reign of King Rama V because of its deteriorating condition. The new hall is an open-sided one with three projections; the eastern wing is short in lenght with a one tiered roof while the northern and southern ones are longer with multiple roofs. The gable board is carved with
Vishnu riding on Garuda surrounded by floral design. The floor is covered with marble. It is used by the king to propitiate the deities and to undergo lustration during the Coronation.
Phra-Thinang Sanamchan
Situated to the west of Amarinthra-winitchai Hall. this open-sided building in wood raised from the ground was built in a manner that it could be moved about. The gable end is decorated with black lacquer and glass mosaic.
King Rama II built it for his own pleasure and sometimes he used it to give audience at officials. It is said that the king himself took part in building and adorning it.
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