Sukhothai Palace or Sukhodaya Palace ( th, วังศุโขทัย; ) is a royal residence situated on

Samsen Road 350px, Samsen Road in the phase of Thewet Naruemit Bridge (view backward to Phra Nakhon side) Samsen or spelled Sam Sen ( th, สามเสน, ) is a road and neighbourhood in Bangkok considered to be one of Bangkok's oldest. Samsen road start ...

in Dusit District,

Bangkok Bangkok, officially known in Thai language, Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon and colloquially as Krung Thep, is the capital and most populous city of Thailand. The city occupies in the Chao Phraya River delta in central Thailand and has an estima ...

, Thailand. It is nearby to

Dusit Palace Dusit Palace ( th, พระราชวังดุสิต, RTGS: ''Phra Ratcha Wang Dusit'') is a compound of royal residences in Bangkok, Thailand. Constructed over a large area north of Rattanakosin Island between 1897 and 1901 by King Chu ...

and

Vajira Hospital Vajira Hospital ( th, วชิรพยาบาล, ) is one of the first hospitals in Thailand, founded by King Rama VI. It is a teaching university hospital of the Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University; the Faculty o ...

. The palace was the residence of

King Prajadhipok Prajadhipok ( th, ประชาธิปก, RTGS: ''Prachathipok'', 8 November 1893 – 30 May 1941), also Rama VII, was the seventh monarch of Siam of the Chakri dynasty. His reign was a turbulent time for Siam due to political and ...

(King Rama VII) and

King Vajiralongkorn Vajiralongkorn ( th, วชิราลงกรณ; , ; born 28 July 1952) is the King of Thailand. He is the only son of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit. In 1972, at the age of 20, he was made crown prince by his father. After his ...

(King Rama X) before they ascended to the throne. It has since become the official residence of Princess

Bajrakitiyabha Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati, the Princess Rajasarini Siribajra ( th, พัชรกิติยาภา นเรนทิราเทพยวดี, , also known as Princess Pa or Patty, born 7 December 1978) is a Thai diplom ...

and Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana.

History

The palace was built in 1918. It was commissioned by Queen

Saovabha Queen Saovabha Phongsri ( th, เสาวภาผ่องศรี; RTGS: Saowapha PhongsiPronunciation) was an agnatic half-sister and queen of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) of Thailand, and mother of both King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) and King Pr ...

, the wife of King

Chulalongkorn Chulalongkorn ( th, จุฬาลงกรณ์, 20 September 1853 – 23 October 1910) was the fifth monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri, titled Rama V. He was known to the Siamese of his time as ''Phra Phuttha Chao Luang'' (พร� ...

as a wedding gift for her youngest son; Prince

Prajadhipok Prajadhipok ( th, ประชาธิปก, RTGS: ''Prachathipok'', 8 November 1893 – 30 May 1941), also Rama VII, was the seventh monarch of Siam of the Chakri dynasty. His reign was a turbulent time for Siam due to political and ...

, the Prince of Sukhothai and

Rambhai Barni Queen Rambai Barni ( th, รำไพพรรณี, , ), formerly Princess Rambai Barni Svastivatana ( th, รำไพพรรณี สวัสดิวัตน์, ; born 20 December 1904 – 22 May 1984), was the wife and queen con ...

. King

Vajiravudh Vajiravudh ( th, วชิราวุธ, , 1 January 188126 November 1925) was the sixth monarch of Siam under the Chakri dynasty as Rama VI. He ruled from 23 October 1910 until his death in 1925. King Vajiravudh is best known for his efforts ...

bestowed the name "Sukhothai Palace" to the new residence. Sukhothai Palace is regarded as a masterpiece of design in the combining of Western architecture with Thai decorative arts. The palace consists of three main buildings: the Yai Building, Mai Building and Nam building. All are connected together with via a raised walkway decorated with wood carvings and Thai patterned eaves. During various periods of ill health, Queen Saovabha often came to recuperate at the palace, which is located on the banks of the Samsen canal. When Prajadhipok became king, the royal couple moved to the

Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall The Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall or the Ambara Villa ( th, พระที่นั่งอัมพรสถาน: ''Phra Thinang Amphorn Sathan'') is a royal mansion situated inside Bangkok's Dusit Palace. It served as the primary residence ...

for a period of time, however they then moved back to Sukhothai Palace. After the Siamese revolution of 1932 the royal couple went to England, Prajadhipok abdicating the throne in 1935. The king never returned and died in England on the 30 May 1941. During this period the palace became the property of the

Crown Property Bureau The Crown Property Bureau (CPB) ( th, สำนักงานทรัพย์สินพระมหากษัตริย์; ) is legally the administrative agency responsible for managing the property of the King of Thailand. It has no ...

and was used as a government office. In 1968 Queen Rambai Barni travelled back to Thailand permanently and the palace was returned to her. She lived at the palace until her death on the 22 May 1984. Afterwards Prince Vajiralongkorn, then the

Crown Prince of Thailand The Crown Prince of Thailand (or Siam; th, สยามมกุฎราชกุมาร; ; lit. the royal son of Siam) is a title held by the heir apparent to the Thai throne. First created by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) in 1886, for his so ...

, lived at the Sukhothai Palace until he moved to Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall.

References

{{coord, 13.7815, N, 100.5097, E, type:landmark_region:TH, display=title Royal residences in Bangkok Residential buildings completed in 1918 Dusit district