Research & Article

The only significant account of the Ayutthaya Grand Palace appears in the Description of Ayutthaya, a document that is believed to have been compiled in early Bangkok from the memories of residents of  the city prior to its sack in 1767. This article presents a translation of the account and an exploration of Siamese kingship in the late Ayutthaya era. Specific topics discussed include the palace’s phases of construction, internal design, audience, enclosure, concealment and spectacle. Historically, analysis of Siamese kingship has focused on the relationship to religious sources of power, however the Ayutthaya Grand Palace as described in the Description of Ayutthaya suggests other relevant aspects, with the design of the palace complex seemingly being built around the royal audience as the daily drama of kingship.