the then Crown Prince Vajiravudh (later H. M. King Rama VI 1910 - 1925) came to this city to pay homage to the big pagoda. He wished to build a palace here as a retreat and a residence during his pilgrimage trip to the pagoda. He preferred this area for he viewed it as a strategic location. In 1907, he bought about 335 acres of land around Noen Prasart from local people. He then had Luang Phitak Manop (Noi Silapi, later Phraya Visukam Prasit) design and supervise the construction of the palace. The construction began in 1902 by the end of the Fifth Reign (1868 – 1910). It was completed in 1911. H.M. King Rama VI named it Sanam Chandra Palace .