The PhraMahaMonthien
The PhraMahaMonthiengroup of buildings are located roughly at the centre of the Middle Court, therefore at the very heart of the Grand Palace itself. The traditional Thai style building group is enclosed by a low wall, as this was once the residential and sleeping abode of kings.Thus it is considered the most important set of throne halls in the entire Grand Palace. All of the buildings within the MahaMonthien face north and are arranged from front to back with the public reception hall being at the front, ceremonial halls in the middle and residential halls at the back, all of them inter-connected to each other.
All Royal coronations since that of King Rama II have taken place within the walls of this building group.Construction began in 1785 at the order of King Rama I, the original buildings only included the ChakraphatPhimarn Throne Hall and the Phaisan Thaksin Throne Hall. Later King Rama II carried out major constructions including the AmarinWinitchai Throne Hall and other extensions. Later in his reign he added the Sanam Chan Pavilion and the Narai Chinese Pavilion. King Nangklao (Rama III) renamed the buildings from ChakraphatPhiman (meaning 'Abode of the Chakravartin') to MahaMonthien (meaning 'Great Royal Residence'). He carried out major renovations and spent most of his reign residing in these buildings. King Rama IV later added two arch-ways at the north and west side of the walls called the Thevaphibal and Thevetraksa Gate respectively. King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) added two portico extensions to eastern and western sides of the AmarinWinitchai Hall.Since then most buildings in its original plan remain, with occasional renovations being made before important anniversaries such as the Bangkok Bicentennial Celebrations in 1982. Except for the AmarinWinitchai Throne Hall, the rest of the complex is closed to the public.