Phra Nakhon District, Rattanakosin Island, Bangkok, Thailand ( 6 )
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 and gave Saranrom Palace to his eldest younger 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.
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 both in fact and in name. Its judiciary functions and its administrative control of the seaboard provinces were respectively transferred to the
Ministries of Justice and Interior. But the position of the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs continued to bear the name of Senabodi until the adoption of a constitutional regime in 1932 when it was changed to Rattamontri (
Councillor of State ) and control of foreign policy no longer rested ultimately with the King but with the executive and legislative branches of the
Government.
Saranrom Palace was used by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for two years. In 1887 it was moved to Sala Lukkhun Nai for three days, to a theatre which then stood in front of Sala Sahathai for one day, and then to the Rajvallop
Building. It stayed there until 1926, with an interruption of one year in
1900 when it was temporarily transferred to Kasetradhikarn Building to allow thorough repairs of the former site. In 1926, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was moved back to Saranrom Palace, where it has remained to this day.
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.
Later, it was used to receive royal foreign visitors, such as Prince
Oscar, the son of the
Swedish King in 1884 wrote about the beauty of its royal garden. King Rama V assigned
Henry Alabaster, a botanical expert, to manage this royal garden. the garden was so beautiful that the royal
Family often visited. It was decorated with a fountain, ornamental plants, orchids, trees and red roses, the
King's favourite flower. There are also bird cages and a crocodile pond. In 1934, the crown Prince (
King Rama VI ) used this royal garden for the royal guard training program and for the centre of tradition and culture as well as innovation in the name of Tawi PanyaSamoson ( Intellectual
Club )
.
In the reign of
King Rama VII after the change of politics, the park was used as Kanarassaranrom Club. Later, it became the Vachiravut
Collage Alumni Association and
Department of Public Welfare. On 3 June 1960, the government assigned
BMA to develop the site to become a public park. The park comes to life in the early mornings.
People living in the area of
Rattanakosin Island use the park for exercise
. In the morning and evening, many forms of exercise can be seen such as Taikek, Sword
Dance, Club Dance and
Ballroom Dancing.
Outdoor activities are also promoted during the day for children such as the
Natural Classroom for
Art and
Ecology. This reflects the role and value of this park especially in the heart of the city towards its community. With its long history of over a century, this park reflects characteristics of the
Rattanakosin period.
This can be seen from materials used for decoration in this park and it also reflects the King's love and sadness for his
Queen consort.