Thread: Memory Lane (In my own language)

Ma-ruek-kataya-wan Palace is a former Palace of King Rama VI (1910 - 1925). The place is located in Cha-um, Petchaburi Province.

The King used to visit the Palace only twice during his reign. His first visit was during the summer of 1924 when he stayed for three months. His second visit lasted two months in the summer of 1925, after which he died.

The Palace is now a property of the Crown Property Bureau and is under the management of The Foundation of Ma-ruek-kataya-wan Palace.

The history of how this Palace was established started back around the year 1917 when the King had suffered from rheumatoid arthritis.

His physician suggested that he should change the air to go and stay at a place which was warmer and the airy seaside climate was recommended.

At first, there were three choices of sites for building the summer palace. The first one was in Hua Hin, Prachuab Keeree Khan Province which was already a popular beach destination at that time.

However, since the customary law prohibited the general public from entering areas where the king resided, the King decided to avoid troubling his people and considered alternative locations for a summer palace.

He subsequently commanded the Royal Thai Navy to research more appropriate sites.

The beach at Bang Talu in Phetchaburi was the next choice. This led to the construction of a summer palace in 1918 at Bang Talu. The design of the Palace was ordered to keep it simple and harmonious to the rural location as it was just a private place.




The King stayed at his private Palace as soon as it was completed in 1918. He was very pleased with everything and he named the beach “Chao Sumrun Beach” which means 'the beach of joy'.

Upon his second and last visit in 1921, he perceived several inconveniences. First of all, fresh water was struggling to find.

Secondly, along with the completion of the Palace which was 15 km. away for the city of Petchaburi, the King ordered to build a set of railway for carrying people and supplies.

Since the distance was short, to be economical, the railway was made in small size thus, the locomotive was small size too. The problems began with the engine which, to save cost, was a used one. It was too old and had a mind of its own.

Little birds told that with full loads (the entourage plus supplies), poor old pony, in his good mood, could hit the top speed as fast as people walking. Some people getting fatigued of sitting in the boxcars too long could get off and walk along.

So, the distance of 15 km. could cover 5 hours easily.




Lastly, as Chao Samran beach was adjacent to a fishing village, flies always paid visit. Thus, the King decided to move his seaside residence to a new location.

Finally, a secluded beach on Cha-um beach was found. The site was not only close to the main train station, permitting easy access from the capital, but had abundant of fresh water.

The King then appointed Ercole Manfredi, an Italian architect, who at the time was employed by the Ministry of Public Works, as the chief architect to complete the architectural plan based on his preliminary sketch which appeared to be compound of villa which consisted of sixteen teak buildings raised on concrete pillars and linked together by a series of walkways.

Because the King still stayed his intention to make this seaside Palace to be a humble royal residence as compared with other Palaces, the Palace’s design was to be simple, yet elegant, in harmony with the tropical seaside climate.

The construction started in 1923 and was completed in late 1924.