Phya Thai Palace
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The Phya Thai Palace (วังพญาไท Wang Phaya Thai) or Royal Phya Thai Palace (พระราชวังพญาไท Phra Ratchawang Phaya Thai) is located on the banks of the Samsen Canal (คลองสามเสน Khlong Samsen) on Rajavithee Road [ถนนราชวิถี Thanon Ratchawithi] in the Ratchathewi district of Bangkok. Rama V bestowed on it the royal name of the Royal Residence of the Phya Thai (พระตำหนักพญาไท Phra Tamnak Phaya Thai) or the Phya Thai Palace, with Phya Thai (พญาไท Phaya Thai) meaning Lord of the Thais, during his reign and so it was built with this bearing on design.
[edit] History
The Phya Thai Palace began construction in 1909. It was built at Rama V's behest so that he might stay there and look out over the farms, plantations and livestock in the area. The palace grounds included those areas directly opposite the palace. He also had a complex included in the compound where the Royal Ploughing Ceremony might take place, since used on many occasions.
The Phya Thai Palace was only used by Rama V for a short time as he died several months after the crowning of the new king.
During the reign of Rama VI, Queen Saovabha, then Queen Mother, was invited to live there, which she did until her death in 1920. Rama VI then had the entire palace grounds demolished, leaving only the Devaraja Sabharamaya Hall (พระที่นั่งเทวราชสภารมย์ Phra Thinang Thewarat Sapharom) and Throne Hall, and ordered that the many new palace halls be built together to form a new Royal Phya Thai Palace.
Rama VI then lived at the palace until the later years of his reign, when he moved to stay at the Chakraput Piman Hall (พระที่นั่งจักรพรรดิพิมาน Phra Thinang Chakkraphat Phiman) of the Grand Palace until his death.
Rama VII ordered the palace be converted into an international hotel, an enterprise which ended five years later. The Phya Thai Palace then became the location of the first Thai radio broadcast station. Later, after a change of government the palace became a clinic for the Royal Thai Army and has since changed its name to the Phramongkutklao Hospital (โรงพยาบาลพระมงกุฎเกล้า Rong Phayaban Phra Mongkut Klao).
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