Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall

Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall
พระที่นั่งอนันตสมาคม
General information
Type Throne Hall
Architectural style Neo-Renaissance & Neo-Classic
Address Dusit Palace
Country Thailand
Coordinates 13°46′18″N 100°30′48″E / 13.771649°N 100.513251°E / 13.771649; 100.513251
Construction started 1908
Completed 1915
Cost 15 million Siamese Baht
Design and construction
Architect Mario Tamagno
Known for Reception hall for the king of Thailand

The Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall (Thai: พระที่นั่งอนันตสมาคม: Phra Thinang Anantasamakhom: translated as "The place of immense gathering"[1]) is a royal reception hall within Dusit Palace in Bangkok, Thailand. It was commissioned by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) in 1908. The building was completed in 1915, 5 years after Rama V's death in 1910. It now serves as a museum and is from time to time employed for certain state occasions.

The hall is open to the public every day except on Chulalongkorn Day (23 October), National Day (5 December), the King's birthday (28 July) and the Queen's birthday (12 August).

History

One year after the completion of the Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall in 1906, King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) decided to commission the construction of a grand European-style reception hall for use by the royal court inside the Dusit Palace. The king named the hall 'Phra Thinang Ananta Samakhom'. The name was the same as a throne hall built by his father King Mongkut (Rama IV) in 1859, which was situated in the Grand Palace. The old throne hall was later demolished by the orders of Chulalongkorn himself and the name was later reused for the new edifice.

Chulalongkorn laid the foundation stone of the throne hall on the 40th anniversary of his first coronation 11 November 1908. The throne hall built in Italian Renaissance and neoclassical style, was first given to the Prussian C. Sandreczki, afterwards two Italian architects Mario Tamagno and Annibale Rigotti took over much of the work. With engineering work by Carlo Allegri and G.E. Gollo. Marble from Carrara, Italy and other foreign materials were used. Italian sculptor Vittorio Novi, who would later also work on the Mahadthai Udthit Bridge (สะพานมหาดไทยอุทิศ), was employed with his nephew Rudolfo Nolli. The throne hall was used for grand royal ceremonies and receptions, as well as a gallery for the king's art collection mostly purchased from his two trips to Europe. The construction took eight years and was completed in 1915 during the reign of King Vajiravudh (Rama VI).

During the four days of the 1932 Revolution (24–27 June), the Khana Ratsadon (or the People's Party) used the throne hall as its headquarters. The party also imprisoned several princes and royal ministers as hostages inside the hall as it carried out its coup. The events transformed the country's political system from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional one. After the revolution, the hall was taken over by the constitutional government and the country's first Parliament, the National People's Assembly of Siam was first convened here on the 28 June 1932. Henceforth the hall was used as the seat of the legislative branch until 1974 when the new Parliament House was opened to the north. After the move the structure was returned to the royal court and once more became a part of the Dusit Palace. Today many ceremonies are held within the throne hall. The most visible being the State Opening of Parliament, where the king gives a speech from the throne, opening the legislative session of the National Assembly of Thailand.

Exterior

The Throne Hall is a two-storey construction with a large dome (49.5 m high) in the centre, surrounded by six smaller domes. The domes and walls are covered with paintings by Professor Galileo Chini and Carlo Riguli depicting the history of the Chakri Dynasty, from the first to the sixth reign.

In front of the Hall is the Royal Plaza with the equestrian statue of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V).

Interior

Fresco drawings in the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall were accomplished by Galileo Chini and Carlo Riguli, who were the royal artists serving King Rama V.

There are paintings on every ceiling and wall of the dome depicting the history of the Chakri Dynasty. The northern dome exhibits the picture of King Rama I leading his armies back to Thailand after defeating the Khmer and later crowned as the first king of the Chakri dynasty. The eastern dome shows the contribution of King Rama II and King Rama III to arts by ordering constructions of the royal temples. The southern dome displays King Rama V's abolition of slavery. Pictures of King Rama IV (King Mongkut) surrounded by priests of various faiths are shown on the western dome, depicting the king's advocacy of all religions. Mural paintings in the middle hall narrate the royal duties of King Rama V and King Rama VI. Other parts of the hall are decorated with King Rama V's and King Rama VI's monograms, including a variety of royal emblems such as the Garuda emblem. On the balcony of the middle hall, art nouveau paintings are decorated on the walls with pictures of European women holding flower garlands.[2]

Visitors

Memorial Crowns of the Auspice

As the Throne Hall is on royal premise, visitors to the Throne Hall should be aware that appropriate dress is required for entry; this means sleeved shirts (including short-sleeved ones) and trousers for men or long skirts for women. Shorts, ripped jeans, short skirts and sleeveless shirts are prohibited. Women in long trousers are not considered suitable. If needed, appropriate attire (a sarong) can be purchased there. All cameras and mobile phones must be kept in provided lockers at no cost. There is an entry fee for the Throne Hall, even if you have already paid to enter the Dusit Gardens. A recorded guide is available in several languages.

See also

Other buildings by Mario Tamagno and/or Annibale Rigotti:

References

Citations
  1. ↑ Noobanjong, page 167
  2. ↑ Silp hang phan din(Arts of the kingdom): Phra tee nung anantasamakhom (Retrieved on 9 October 2013)www.artsofthekingdom.com/th/index.php?page=throne
Bibliography
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Coordinates: 13°46′18″N 100°30′47″E / 13.77167°N 100.51306°E / 13.77167; 100.51306

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