The Palace of a King

     When King Vajiravudh decided to build a new palace for himself, he had his mother's residence dismantled and rebuilt as a science building at the Royal Page School, which is present-day Vajiravudh College. This building was later turned into an abode for monks at Wat Rajathiwat. THe only structure that was left standing, and has survived until today is the audience hall at the front, which the King built for his mother at the beginning of his reign.

     The first building that the King had constructed was the Udom Wanaphon Residence, which was moved from Suan Dusit Palace. He later renamed it Mekhala Ruchi. Then other structures were built to replace those that had been torn down. The new palace was a complex of three buildings with a geometrical garden in the Renaissance style, commonly known as a Roman Garden.

     Dusit Thani, a model of a town, the King had built to teach a democratic form of administration at the local level, was moved from Suan Dusit Palace to a more spacious home in the new residence too.

 

    Several of the King's great literary works were written at Phya Thai Palace; Madanabadha: The Romance of a Rose, was written here. THis play, explaining the origin of a flower,was originally meant to be read. However, Queen Intharasak Sachi, for whom the play was written, asked for the play to be performed on her birthday. She was also the one who suggested to the King that Madana be turned into a rose. Thus we have a play recounting the origin of the "queen" of flowers.

     King Vajiravudh made Phya THai Palace his permanent residence for six years until October 1925 when he moved temporarily into the Grand Palace for the Chong Priang ceremony (lighting lanterns to welcome deities). a Brahmin rite that would rid him of bad luck. Moreover, the Coronaton Day was not very far off and Queen Suvadhana was about to give birth to his child. The King, therefore, chose to stay at Chakkraphat Phiman Hall, the main residence in the palace complex, to await the auspicious occasions. The unexpected occurred; the King fell ill suddenly. According to the Royal Gazette, he died at 1.45 a.m. on November 26, 1925, one day after his daughter Princess Phetcharatana Rajasuda was born.

...a Royal Residence 

   

  Phya Thai Palace Hotel...