Chudhadhuj Palace

Chudhadhuj Palace Review

After his father King Mongkut (Rama IV) first realized that people on the island lived longer here than anywhere else in Thailand, King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) built Chudhadhuj Palace (named after Prince Chudhadhuj who was born on the island on July 5, 1893), but the palace was abandoned in 1894 when France blockaded the Gulf of Thailand during a political crisis. Few buildings remain today, but the palace gardens are great for strolling around in, and the grounds are only about 2 km (1 mi) south of town. Vimanmek Mansion was originally started here before being moved to Bangkok in 1901, and its beachside foundation remains. Nearby, an old wooden pier has been restored to its former glory.