Aisawan Thiphya in Ayutthaya

The Aisawan Thiphya at the Bang Pa In Palace, Ayutthaya is a remarkable pavilion constructed in authentic Thai style architecture. It floats in the midst of the lake and serves as a national symbol of the country of Thailand.

Aisawan Thiphya in Ayutthaya
by Chee Yuen

Its beauty lies not just in its facade but in the memories surrounding it..

At the heart of the building, is a majestic monument ordered to be constructed by the son of Rama V to symbolize his father. Nowadays, it is a famous tourist attraction but its beauty lies not just in its façade but in the memories surrounding it.

The pavilion holds precious stories of hope and despair.  It was said the Crown Prince would spend his afternoons lounging in the pavilion. In his solitude, his mind would drift and he would dream of great things for the Kingdom of Siam. It was said that royals would come to look at the stars and in their silence, voice their wishes to the wind.

It was said that visitors could see the line of fruit trees and the hedges shaped into characters of celebrated Thai folk tales: the elephant, the mouse, the rabbit and the moon.

It was also said that a horrific event unfolded as onlookers stood by the pavilion while their Queen Sunanda drowned. The year was 1881 and the barge carrying the Queen and her daughter, the Princess Karnabhorn Bejraratana, was capsized. No one came to the rescue because it was forbidden to touch royalty and they were afraid to be punished.

A vizier in a nearby boat warned them to stay put. The King Chulalongkorn was in great despair for he was expecting a reunion but was greeted by tragedy. In honor of the Queen, he had a memorial for her in Bang Pa In and jailed the vizier who dared not disobey the law at the cost of letting the Queen drown.

Note: This Thai-style pavilion with four porches and a spired roof built at Aisawan Thiphya in Ayutthaya was No 2 Winner of our Photo Contest Amaze Me Thailand No 2 2011. The picture is taken by Chee Yuen.