Mrigadayavan Palace
Mrigadayavan Palace (Thai: พระราชนิเวศน์มฤคทายวัน, RTGS: phra ratcha niwet maruekkhathayawan ) is a former residence of King Vajiravudh, or Rama VI, who ruled Siam from 1910 to 1925.
The king drafted the designs for the villa, which consists of sixteen teak buildings raised on concrete pillars and linked together by a series of walkways.
Around the year 1917, because King Vajiravudh had suffered from rheumatoid arthritis, his physician, Phraya Phaet Phongsavisuttatibhadi, suggested that he sojourn in a warm and airy seaside climate.
The first one was in Hua Hin District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, which was already a popular beach destination at that time.
Apart from caring for his health, he also permitted the training of the Phetchaburi Wild Tiger Corps inside the palace compound.
Last, as Chao Samran beach was adjacent to a fishing village, flies were an ever present nuisance.
King Vajiravud appointed Ercole Manfredi, an Italian architect, who at the time was employed by the Ministry of Public Works, as the chief architect to complete the architectural plan based on the king's preliminary sketch, and assigned Chao Phraya Yommaraj (Pan Sukhum), Minister of Interior, to supervise construction.
Existing residential edifices and structures at Chao Samran Beach were moved to the new site while the royal residence was being built.
The audience would face to the north and the ladies of the court were seated along the east and west balconies of the upper floor.
According to Brahmin and Buddhist beliefs, the king represents the most powerful gods- Shiva, Brahma, and Vishnu.
Brass peg holes used for keeping carpets stationary can be seen on the floor of the upper corridor, as well as along the stair treads, where the king walked.
King Vajiravudh used the room on the upper floor of the Samosorn Sevakamart for private audiences and to conduct royal ceremonies.
On the left side of the hall stands a bronze bust of King Vajiravudh, cast in 1926 by the Italian sculptor, Silpa Bhirasri (Corrado Feroci).
They are: From the king's bathing pavilion, southwards along the long corridor is the Pisansakorn group of buildings, the ladies’ quarters.
These are part of Mrigadayavan's garden and ground restoration project to commemorate King Vajiravudh's distinct activities and his support for Thai literature.
The project aims to develop the landscape of the palace that will meet requirements for the forest and animal protection scheme of 1924.
Design of the gardens and their plants involve references from King Vajiravudh's literary works such as Sakuntala, Mattanabhata, Benjanaridham, and Venice Vanich.
Prominent figures are Mr Sirichaichan Fakchumrun, former director of the Fine Arts Department and acclaimed National Artist in classical Thai music, teachers from the Plainern Palace, a palace associated with Thai classical music teaching, and teachers from Phetchaburi's Ladies Ensemble.
The lessons include traditional Thai classical music and the compositions of King Vajiravudh and his contemporaries.
He stated in a speech on 22 June 1991 that vetiver was sturdy, had long roots and could grow in a net-like shape that could pierce the ground.
The Foundation of Mrigadayavan Palace hopes that the garden area could serve as a cultural learning centre about local flora and court customs and traditions.
