The small snow-white palace housing the throne hall looks quite unusual for Thailand - as if it had accidentally been transported here from Paris or Rome. Perfectly calibrated proportions, precise lines, delicate details, elegant sculptures and bas-reliefs made of Carrara white marble, considered one of the most valuable in the world — all this makes the building a true work of art, embodying the finest traditions of the Italian Neo-Renaissance.
The palace, built by the Italian architects Tamagno and Rigotti in 1915, was intended for use as a royal reception hall. The central part is crowned by a dome 49.5 meters high, standing on an exquisite colonnade and surrounded by six smaller domes. Inside, the walls and domes are covered with incredibly beautiful frescoes depicting scenes from the lives of the monarchs of the Chakri dynasty.
Until the mid-1970s, the throne hall was used for its intended purpose: for ceremonial receptions and for parliamentary sessions, then it was decided to make it accessible to all visitors. Now the throne hall is always open to tourists, with rare exceptions related to ceremonial events and parliamentary assemblies held several times a year.
At Ananta Samakhom, the public can also see the Arts of the Kingdom Exhibition – a collection of jewelry belonging to the royal family and various decorative jeweled pieces. All exhibits are made of gold and adorned with genuine precious stones - even the ship models and the royal elephant saddle.
A dress code is observed here, so do not wear shorts and tank tops on your tour of the palace.
