Phra Narai Ratchaniwet

Testimony of the Inhabitants of the Old Capital (Khamhaikan Chao Krung Kao) says that when King Narai had been on a throne for 10 years, he order a construction of a new palace in Lopburi in 1666. The Testimony also indicates that the new palace was built in Lopburi because the location of the city of Ayutthaya was too close to the Chao Phraya delta which made Ayutthaya vulnerable should crises with the West arise. Earlier in 1664 there was a case of the Dutch naval blockade which ended up in enforcing Ayutthaya to sign a treaty on fur monopoly.

This palace served as a royal residence for almost a whole year, King Narai had enjoyed his stay until the time of his death at Phra Thinang Suthasawan. However, shortly before King Narai's death, Phra Phetracha led a revolution. Fear that dangers will befell court officials, King Narai hence dedicated and consecrated the palace grounds as a Buddhist temple and sponsored his officials to ordain as a monk within the palace compound.

The site was listed and declared an ancient monument in the Government Gazette no. 53, part 24, on 2 August 1936.

Phra Narai Ratchaniwet had been restored several times. One as such was occurred during 2009-2010 by the Burana Thai co., ltd to restore the exterior of fortified wall on the west and the Gates 1 and 2.

The company continued their project on the fortification on the west, south, east and north (interior), and the interior walls including gateways and fortresses at the cardinal points as well as an archaeological fieldwork.

Phra Narai Ratchaniwet is rectangular in plan covering approximately seven hectares of land. The entrance faces eastward to the town. It is surrounded by fortified walls built with brick and plaster. The walls are surmounted by bai sema along the length with fortresses on each side and corner.

The palace compound is divided into 3 sections: the outer, the middle and the inner courts.

Remaining buildings in the outer court are water tank, the Twelve Royal Storage, Reception Hall for Envoys, Phra Chao Hao Hall and Royal Elephant Stable.

Among significant buildings in the middle court are Phra Thinang Chanthara Phisan, Phra Thinang Dusit Sawan Thanya Mahaprasat, King Mongkut’s the Phra Thinang Phiman Mongkut group and Thim buildings.

Phra Narai Ratchaniwet in Lopburi was a palace built by King Narai. It is thus a very important example of the arts of his reign especially the architectural style. Studies of Phra Narai Ratchaniwet indicate that its architecture reflecting strong influences from the West or the Middle East (Persia).

รายงานการดำเนินงานบูรณะ (ระยะที่ 1) พระนารายณ์ราชนิเวศน์ ตำบลท่าหิน อำเภอเมือง จังหวัดลพบุรี. ลพบุรี: สำนักศิลปากรที่ 4 ลพบุรี กรมศิลปากร, 2552.

ศิลปากร, กรม. ทะเบียนโบราณสถาน. กรุงเทพฯ : กรมศิลปากร, 2532.