The Phra Maha Monthian Group
This group is located in the inner and central parts of the Grand Palace towards the eastern side. It was the first group of buildings constructed by King Rama I as his own residence. He also used it for his Coronation. Since then the Coronations of all monarchs of the Chakri Dynasty have taken place there.
This group of buildings is composed of three large one storey structures lying parallel and connected by short corridors. They are constructed of bricks and mortar in traditional manner and have elaborately decorated roofs of glazed tiles and traditional motifs. King Rama IV named them as follows:- Phra-Thinang Chakraphat-Phiman, Phra-Thinang Phaisan-Thaksin and Phra-Thinang AmarinThra-winitchai. These traditional motifs consist of Cho-fa, Bai-Raka and Hang-Hong.
Cho-fa is the finial that rises from the apex of the gable--to one school of thought it symbolizes the head of Garuda while another school believes it to represent the head of the Naga or serpent.
Bai-Raka are the end boards of the gable and are believed to represent the wings of Garuda by the first school, and the scales of the Naga (or the rippling of water) by the other.
Hang-Hong are the lesser finials rising from the lower ends of the gables. To the first school they represent the heads of Nagas seized by Garuda; to the other they are the tails of Nagas.