Sanam Chan Palace

Sanam Chandra Palace (Thai: พระราชวังสนามจันทร์; rtgs: Sanam Chan; "Moon Plaza") is a palace complex built by Vajiravudh in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, 56 km west of Bangkok. The palace complex is about a kilometer away from the Phra Pathommachedi. The complex consists of five buildings and a Ganesh shrine.

Before ascending the throne, the then Crown Prince Vajiravudh came to this city to pay homage to Phra Pathommachedi. He wished to build a palace here as a retreat and a residence during his pilgrimage trip to the stupa. He viewed the area as a strategic location. In 1907, he bought about 335 acres of land around Noen Prasart Hill (Thai: เนินปราสาท; rtgs: Noen Prasat; "Castle Hill") from local people. Noen Prasart Hill is believed to be the site of an ancient palace. He then had Luang Phitak Manop (Noi Silapi, later Phraya Visukam Prasit) designed and supervised the construction of the palace. The construction began in 1902 by the end of Chulalongkorn's reign (1868 – 1910). It was completed in 1911. Vajiravudh named it Sanam Chandra Palace after a natural pool nearby called "Sa Nam Chand" (Thai: สระน้ำจันทร์; rtgs: Sa Nam Chan; "Moon Pond"). In addition, the king had another plan for this palace. It was to serve not only as a retreat, but also as a stronghold during a national crisis. Here, he regularly held practices for the Wild Tigers Corps, a para – military troop. According to Vajiravudh's will, the palace was given to the government to be the site of military academy. However, after reign of Vajiravudh the palace has been closed and transformed to Nakhon Pathom's administrative area. Some palace halls had been dismantled and moved to National Museum in Bangkok for preservation.

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