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The Throne Hall
The building was built in Thai style, with three porticos coverd with orange baked clay tiles. The apex of the gables are of elaborately
carved teak representing the Garuda (a mythical bird) and the Naga (a serpent).
The Throne Hall was built in 1767, the same year that Thonburi was made capital. The Hall is composed of two connected buildings:
- The building to the north or the Throne Hall, was used by the King for audiences. Two rows of eight rounded wooden pillars called
pratan run down the middle of the hall. To the south of the hall was a dais where the King sat.
The south building called Pratinang Kwang (the transverse building) was used as a lounge by the King.
It is assumed that the Throne Hall was originally an open pavillion similar in fashion to the Amarintra Vinitchai Throne hall at
the royal palace, which was built during the reign of H.M. King Rama I.
The Throne Hall has been repaired and remodeled frequently especially when H.M. Phra Pinklao Chao Yuhua (while he was holding the title of H.R.H. Prince
Krommaluang Isara Rangsan) was in residence from 1824 to 1851, during the reign of H.M. King Rama III. It is assumed that H.M. Phra Pinklao had the walls
of the north building filled in and pierced openings for doors and windows. Later, when the Navy Works Department was repaired between 1925 and 1933,
documentary and pictorial evidences indicated that the department has remodeled the Throne Hall by removing all the walls together with its doors and
windows and substituting reinforced square concrete pillars 50x50 cm. each as a frame for the structure. Between the newly built pillars a 90 cm. high brick
wall was constructed with six spaces left open for entrances as seen today. The two rows of eight round wooden pillars had been substituted by rectangular
reinforced concrete pillars.
It is assumed that the Pratinang Kwang had not been changed, i.e. the interior is still a raised hall enclosed with brick and mortar interspersed with doors and windows.
After the palace had been taken over by the Academy. The Throne Hall was used as class rooms for the students and meeting rooms for the instructors.
Now it is used for receptions and important ceremonies. The Transverse Building is used as a reception room for important visitors and for conferences.
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