Saranrom Park

"Saranrom Park is a public park located in the heart of Bangkok, opposite the Grand Palace, on the grounds of the former Saranrom Palace. The park covers a significant historical area that was originally used as a royal residence and garden. Established in 1866, the palace was the residence of several princes and royal guests before its transformation into a public space in 1960 under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. The gardens surrounding the palace were initially designed in the 1870s by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) and were meant to mirror the style of other countries, featuring fountains, flower gardens, birdcages, and animal enclosures. Over time, the park became a space for royal activities and later military training, particularly during the reign of King Vajiravudh (Rama VI). In 1932, following the revolution, it became the office of the Khana Ratsadon, or People's Party, which led to the country's first constitution. The park holds several important historical points of interest. One of these is the Queen Sunanda Kumariratana Memorial, built in 1886 to honor the late queen. Located on a spot she once frequented, the memorial is made of white marble in the form of a phra prang, with inscriptions commemorating the grief of King Chulalongkorn. Another notable site within the park is the People’s Party Society Building, formerly the office of the Khana Ratsadon, where important political events, including the annual Constitution Celebration, were held. This one-story building, designed in the Khana Ratsadon architectural style, now serves as the park's office. The Greenhouse, a Victorian-style building initially intended for botanical purposes, became a meeting place for Siamese elites and now stands in disrepair, used as a storage facility. Finally, the Chao Mae Takhian Thong Shrine, originally a small shrine that became a three-storied Chinese pagoda in the 1910s, houses the spirit of Chao Mae Takhian Thong, venerated in the Hopea odorata tree."