Rediscovering Thon Buri’s Royal Legacy at Phra Racha Wang Derm

via Bangkok Post, 06 November 2023: Phra Racha Wang Derm, the former palace now within the Royal Thai Navy’s precincts, offers a deep dive into Thailand’s royal naval history, from its days under King Taksin to its pivotal role in the modern navy’s development. The complex, featuring the Throne Hall from Taksin’s era and the Western-influenced residence of King Pinklao, has been meticulously preserved, earning it an Award of Merit from UNESCO for cultural heritage conservation. This storied site stands as a testament to Thailand’s resilience and the ongoing efforts to maintain its historical significance for future generations​.

In 1767, with Ayutthaya ravaged by war beyond any hope of revitalisation, King Taksin (1734-82) chose the garrison town of Thon Buri as the new capital of what ultimately proved to be a short-lived kingdom. At the king’s behest, a modest palace was erected in 1768 which leveraged the strategic location of the fort.

After King Taksin was deposed in a coup and executed at Wichaiprasit Fort in 1782, prominent royals of the succeeding Chakri dynasty continued to reside at Phra Racha Wang Derm until the turn of the 20th century, when King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) bequeathed the palace complex to the Royal Thai Navy to serve as the naval academy. Around half-a-century later, the navy repurposed the property into its headquarters.

Today, hallowed by more than 300 years of history, Wichaiprasit Fort is the site ceremonial gun salutes periodically held against the august backdrop of a nautical flagpole flying the flags of the navy and its commander-in-chief.

Source: Thailand’s forgotten palace