Saranrom Palace - Bangkok    Share

Beautiful exterior of the building. We did not go in

I had seen this Palace a number of times but I could never find out what it’s name was or much about it. October 2013 all that changed. I set out to find as much as I could about this beautiful building the same time as visiting the City Shrine. No signs could be seen outside to give it a name. However a friend of mine found out all about it from people in the office were they worked. It is not a palace you can gain entry to, but the outside of it, is really imposing to photograph, video or just to see. Saranrom Palace lies to the east of the Grand Palace. It was built towards the end of the reign of King Rama IV. After the death of King Pinklao in A.D. 1866. King Rama IV decided to give the throne to the Crown Prince who later became King Chulalongkorn, and planned to retire to this palace to live in retirement as advisor on state affairs. Unfortunately King Mongkut died in A.D. 1868. King Rama V then gave Saranrom Palace to his brother, Prince Kroma Phra Chakrabaddibongse. Later King Chulalongkorn let another younger brother, Prince Kroma Phraya Bhanubandh Wongseworadej stay here. Afterwards this palace became the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and state guests were received here. It was used as the first office for Foreign Affairs until 1885, the residence of the Senabodi had been used as Office of Krom Tha. On obtaining his new post, Krommuen Devawongse Varopakarn submitted a request to the King for an office of his own, separate from his residence. The request was granted and royal permission given to use Saranrom Palace as the first separate Office for Foreign Affairs. Another significant change was also made, the appointment and general supervision of Thai diplomatic missions abroad, hitherto entrusted to the Prince in his capacity as Secretary General to the King, were transferred with him to the Krom Tha Office. Seven years later, in the complete government reform of 1892 resulting in the creation of twelve ministries, based on western standards, the Krom Tha Office became a fully fledged Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Its judiciary functions and its administrative control of the seaboard provinces were respectively transferred to the Ministries of Justice and Interior. The definition of Saranrom Park is the old royal garden. Built in 1866 by King Rama IV, it was a part of Saranrom Palace located to the outside wall east of the Grand Palace. The King intended to stay at this palace after his son became king. However, he passed away before its completion. The construction was completed in the reign of King Rama V. The palace was used as a residence for many of the king's brothers while they were waiting for the completion of their own palace construction.

This is part of Saranrom Park. The monument is in the park. The building behind it is military/government usage. Not open to Public. Monument is great for photo ops.

Nice building and architecture. It was place of the first Office for Foreign Affairs.

The King Rama IV Statue, the king of science in the Royal Thailand. The palace where was an old foreign ministry.