Phra Thinang Viharn Somdej

The royal chronicles of Ayutthaya, for example the Phan Chantanumat (Choem)'s version, the Phra Chakkraphaddiphong (Chad)’s version and the Phra Racha Hatthalekha version, describes a fire accident caused by the lightning strike at Phra Thinang Mangalabhisek in 1643. The fire destroyed the throne hall and other buildings about 110 in total. King Prasat Thong built a new throne hall to replace the fire-damaged building which was completed within a year. The new throne hall was named Phra Thinang Viharn Somdej.

Additionally, the Phan Chantanumat (Choem)’s and the Phra Racha Hatthalekha's versions collectively state that in 1536 “…the palace walls were brought down and in it place, erected Phra Maha Prasat Phra Viharn Somdej…”. The dating therefore is still a subject to be debated.

The site was listed and declared an ancient monument in the Government Gazette no. 52, part 75, on 8 March 1935.

The excavation began in 1980 and uncovered a layout of the palace grounds which was previously destroyed. The archaeologists who worked on the site until 1983 had divided the palace layout into four sections: northwest, southwest, northeast and southeast corners.

The excavation resumed in 1987 at the west corner of the royal palace preparing for the opening of the Ayutthaya Historical Park. Many ruins were found on this section of the royal palace such as Phra Thinang Song Puen along with other minor buildings mentioned in the royal chronicles as well as the west wall. The excavation also discovered the Udom Khongkha water gate and a water storage during digging along the outer court's wall at the west corner. More ruins such as defensive wall, water gate, gateway, forts, brick walls, bridges, pathway and drains were found behind Phra Thinang Banyong Rattanat.

In 1989, Tamnak Suan Kratai, the Chonlatid Thavan Sakhon gate and water pipes were restored.

The ruins of Phra Thinang Viharn Somdej features only its brick platform. The building which formerly stood in the middle of the platform is oriented toward the east. Deep porticoes protrude from the eastern and western sides whereas at the north and the south were attached to a smaller portico.

Phra Thinang Viharn Somdej is one of the few examples of a throne hall or a royal palace in the Ayutthaya period as well as its predecessor, the Rattanakosin period.

1. Testimony of the King from Wat Pradu Songtham (Khamhaikan Khun Luang Wat Pradu Songtham) from the palace library (Ho Luang) describes Phra Thinang Viharn Somdej as a tin-roofed building decorated with five gold-gilded tin prangs on top. There was also a porch with a mandapa-styled rooftop. A seat was held in the porch. This throne hall was a place of the Bussayabhisek royal ceremony. It was one of the most significant throne halls and an embodiment of the glory of Ayutthaya Kingdom.

2. Testimony of the Inhabitants of the Old Capital (Khamhaikan Chao Krung Kao) indicates that Phra Thinang Viharn Somdej housed two thrones; one in the hall and othern one at the porch. Also, Phra Thinang Viharn Somdej was as tall as Phra Thinang Sanphet Prasat and Phra Thinang Suriyat Amarin all of which were on the same axis.

พระราชพงศาวดารกรุงศรีอยุธยา ฉบับพระจักรพรรดิพงศ์ (จาด)

พระราชพงศาวดารกรุงศรีอยุธยา ฉบับพันจันทานุมาศ (เจิม)

พระราชพงศาวดารกรุงศรีอยุธยา ฉบับพระราชหัตถเลขา

คำให้การชาวกรุงเก่า

คำให้การขุนหลวงวัดประดู่ เอกสารจากหอหลวง

ศิลปากร, กรม. พระราชวังและวัดโบราณในจังหวัดพระนครศรีอยุธยา. กรุงเทพฯ : กรมศิลปากร, 2511.

รังสี อ่วมทอง และคณะ, “เอกสารประกอบการสัมมนาเรื่องการศึกษาวิจัยหลักฐานทางโบราณคดีที่ได้จากโครงการขุดแต่ง, ขุดค้น พระราชวังโบราณ จ.พระนครศรีอยุธยา ตั้งแต่ปี พ.ศ.2526 - ปี พ.ศ. 2539”, สารนิพนธ์ศิลปศาสตรบัณฑิต คณะโบราณคดี มหาวิทยาลัยศิลปากร, 2539.