Wang Derm Palace (Thonburi Royal Palace)

Rating: 3/5 (5 votes)

Open Days: Monday – Friday (closed Saturday – Sunday and public holidays). The site is within the Royal Thai Navy Headquarters area; it’s recommended to contact and arrange a visit in advance according to the regulations before traveling.

Opening Hours: Generally 08:00 – 16:00.

 

Wang Derm Palace (Thonburi Royal Palace) is one of those places that makes Thonburi-side Bangkok history feel truly “touchable.” This was the royal palace of King Taksin the Great, built in 2310 BE (1767) alongside the establishment of Thonburi as Siam’s capital. It served as both a royal residence and an administrative center at a pivotal moment, right after the country reclaimed its independence. If you enjoy travel with a story behind it, Wang Derm Palace isn’t just a check-in spot—it’s a place that helps you look back and understand how the Thai capital once “reset and stood back up” again.

 

The palace sits along the Chao Phraya River near the mouth of Khlong Bangkok Yai, on the Wang Derm/Arun Ammarin Road area, and today it lies within the Royal Thai Navy Headquarters compound. This wasn’t chosen only for the river view. It was a strategic position: it could clearly control water routes, offered long-range visibility of movement, and linked to key transport corridors of the era. In a time when rivers were the nation’s main highways, the location made perfect sense as a true “command center” for the city.

 

Historically, the area also ties back to Ayutthaya-era fortifications. The Wang Derm zone is associated with Wichaiyen Fort, built during the reign of King Narai the Great, when Bangkok functioned as a key coastal frontier for the Ayutthaya Kingdom. Later, in the Thonburi period, the fortifications were improved and renamed “Wichai Prasit Fort,” which has since become one of the enduring visual anchors of Wang Derm Palace. That’s why, when you walk through this site, it doesn’t feel like a “standalone palace”—it feels like one element within a larger riverside defensive system and city-planning logic.

 

One of the most rewarding parts of visiting Wang Derm Palace is that many historic structures can still be seen on site. These include the Throne Hall; the pavilion-style residential buildings connected with King Pinklao; the large paired pavilion buildings; the Shrine of King Taksin the Great; the Whale Head Shrine; the “Green House” or the former hospital building; and, of course, Wichai Prasit Fort, standing as a riverside landmark that helps “lock in” the image of Thonburi in your mind. Walking here feels like reading a history book through real space—with building proportions, light and shadow, and the Chao Phraya atmosphere doing part of the storytelling.

 

Another angle many people find fascinating is that Wang Derm Palace is said to have been a birthplace of several Thai monarchs in later periods. This means the site isn’t significant only for the “founding of Thonburi” era, but also as a historical place that connects multiple chapters of the Thai royal court. If you like seeing the city in a long timeline, Wang Derm Palace helps you picture the shift of power from Thonburi to Phra Nakhon—and makes the word “capital” feel heavier than it does on a page.

 

The key thing to know before planning is that Wang Derm Palace lies within a military compound. Visiting may involve conditions and regulations, including contacting in advance, dressing respectfully, and following staff instructions to keep the area orderly. If you’re coming to absorb the historical details, it’s worth allowing at least 1–2 hours to walk at an unhurried pace and give yourself time to “read the place,” not just take photos.

 

Getting There The clearest way to plan is to pin “Wang Derm Palace” or “Royal Thai Navy Headquarters (Wang Derm/Arun Ammarin)” on your map, then check the contact point and permitted entrances according to the regulations for that day. If you’re taking a taxi or public transport, tell the driver: “Wang Derm Palace, Royal Thai Navy, Wang Derm Road, Bangkok Yai, near Wat Arun.” It’s also wise to allow extra time for traffic around bridges and piers, especially during morning and evening rush hours.

 

If you want to turn it into a half-day itinerary, Wang Derm Palace has a big advantage: it’s close to many top attractions—Wat Arun, Tha Tien, Wat Pho, Museum Siam—and it’s easy to connect by boat or on foot to the Rattanakosin side. Even if access is restricted on the day you go, you can quickly adjust and continue exploring nearby without losing the rhythm of your trip.

 

 

A: Generally, it is open Monday – Friday and closed on Saturday – Sunday, as well as public holidays.

 

A: Generally 08:00 – 16:00. Because it is within a military compound, it’s recommended to check the latest visiting conditions before traveling.

 

A: Generally, children are 50 THB and adults are 100 THB.

 

A: Since the site is within the Royal Thai Navy Headquarters area, visiting may involve conditions. It’s recommended to contact or arrange in advance to avoid a wasted trip.

 

A: Good nearby options include Wat Arun, Tha Tien, Wat Pho, Museum Siam, or crossing over to the Grand Palace area. Use the distances and phone numbers in the summary table to plan your route.