Bang Pa-In Royal Palace
A riverside summer palace of Thai pavilions, Chinese towers and a European-style hall, all arranged around a lake.
Bang Pa-In Royal Palace is the summer residence of the Thai monarchy, 20km south of Ayutthaya on the Chao Phraya. Entry is 100 baht and it takes 1 to 1.5 hours. The dress code is strictly enforced.
Open Bang Pa-In Royal Palace in Google Maps14.2328, 100.5780
Strict dress code at the gate
Entry fee checked against operator or park publication, October 2026. Hours can change without notice — confirm on the day.
A riverside summer palace of Thai pavilions, Chinese towers and a European-style hall, all arranged around a lake.
The palace was built in the 17th century, abandoned when the capital moved to Bangkok, and rebuilt by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) in the 1870s after he visited Europe. The result is an eclectic royal garden: a Thai pavilion on the water, a Chinese-style palace, a Gothic-style hall and a Roman-style bridge, all in one walled park.
It is unlike any other royal site in Thailand — 19th-century eclecticism, manicured and quiet. Twenty minutes from Ayutthaya and easy to combine.
What you’ll actually see
- The Aisawan Thiphya-Art pavilion, standing in the middle of the ornamental lake
- Warophat Phiman, the European-style throne hall still used by the royal family
- The memorial to Queen Sunanda, who drowned on the way to the palace in 1880
- The topiary gardens and the observation tower at the south end
How to visit it well
- Dress code applies — no shoulders or knees.
- Combine with Ayutthaya on the drive north or south.
- The tower view over the lake is worth the climb.
Mistakes worth avoiding
- Wearing shorts, vests or short skirts — they will turn you away at the gate
- Coming at midday; the site is largely open and shadeless
- Rushing it in 30 minutes; the pavilions reward a slow lap
Is it worth it?
Worth an hour if you are already at Ayutthaya. It is pretty rather than profound, and the mixture of architectural styles is genuinely odd and interesting. Skip it if your day is tight.
Common questions
Strict: shoulders and knees covered, no shorts, no sleeveless tops, no leggings. Sarongs are for sale at the gate but not always available.
100 baht for foreign visitors. The palace is open from 8am to 4pm.
Yes, Bang Pa-In has its own station on the Bangkok–Ayutthaya line, but the palace is 4km from it and you need a tuk-tuk.
Yes — it is the royal summer residence, still used occasionally by the royal family, which is why parts may be closed without notice.
Tours that include Bang Pa-In Royal Palace
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Last updated: October 2026 · Prices and hours checked by Tom Whitfield