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ThailandDescription and is it worth a visit
Ban Chao Wichayen Palace was built during the reign of King Narai or Ramathibodi III in the XVII century as a residence for the first French ambassador to Thailand – Alexandre Chevalier de Chaumont. Subsequently, this residence was also used for temporary accommodation of other diplomats who paid a courtesy call to King Narai the Great in Lopburi. The first group of French ambassadors who arrived in 1685 stopped at this place. Then came a Greek named Constantine Faulkon, who served as a government official, did many good deeds and received the position of royal minister "Chaofraya Vichayen". He was also given a house in the western part of this residence, and on his behalf it received its modern name Vichayen.
The complex in Ban Chao Vichai consisted of 3 sections: a majestic two-story brick building and a narrow and long one-story building with an arched entrance in the west. Important buildings were located in the center, such as the foundations of structures that are supposed to have been a bell tower, and a Christian church at the back with a pedimented entrance. To the east was a group of large two-story buildings with an arch-shaped staircase in front. The architectural features of some of the residences in the complex were executed in an authentic European style, especially the large two-story buildings in the east, which were built of brick and covered with cement. Their windows and arches were made in the Renaissance style, which was popular at that time. There was also a European-style Christian church here, but with Ruan Kaeo-style entrance and window facades. The upper part of each column had the shape of an elongated lotus petal, representing traditional Thai art.
Today, Ban Chao Wichayen is a historical and architectural monument, from the beauty and splendor of which nothing has been preserved, since it suffered greatly from the invasion of the Burmese. All you will see here are the ruins of typical European buildings of ordinary rectangular shape, and nothing more. Perhaps passionate history lovers will like it here, but, to be honest, it didn't seem very interesting to us here. Therefore, if you have a shortage of time in Lopburi, we would recommend skipping this place and instead visit the ruins of temples with monkeys and the royal palace of Lopburi with a museum.
🕐 Working hours
From 08:30 to 16:30.
💵Entrance fee / ticket price
50 baht (approximately 1.53 USD, currency of Thailand).
🚶 How to get there
Ban Chao Wichayen Ambassadors Palace is located in the old town on Thanon Wichayen Street (Ban Chao Wichayen on the map). It will not be difficult to get here on foot from anywhere in the old town of Lopburi.
Friends, we remind you that it is much more interesting to get acquainted with the sights of Thailand with the help of excursions, and therefore we advise you to look at options with online booking and reviews on these excursion aggregators: