Phra Chudhadhuj Palace was the only palace in Thailand that is situated on an island.   It was built in 1889 during the reign of King Chulalongkorn and was named after the prince who was born at this palace.  The palace has later fallen into disuse.  Chulalongkorn was entrusted by the Treasury Department in 1978 to establish Koh Sichang Marine Science Research Centre of Chulalongkorn University on part of the palace (approzimately 5 rais  or 0.8 hectares) and to maintain the palace, and all its historic items therein, as a historic site.    When Fine Arts Department, Ministry of Culture, listed Phra Chudhadhuj Palace as a National Historic Site in 1990, Chulalongkorn University started to collaborate with the Department in restoring the remaining five buildings on the palace premise, while retaining the use of clean energy, especially their geo-architecture, natural ventilation, irrigation and freshwater conservation systems. The restoration was carried out on Ordination Hall of Asdangkhanimitr Temple, Wooden House by the Sea, Vadhana, Phongsri, and Abhirom Mansions, including other architecture and landscape objects named in rhymes by King Chulalongkorn, which are considered priceless historically.

In an auspicious occasion of King’s Chulalongkorn’s 150th birthday in 2004, Chulalongkorn University restored and renovated the palace and re-opened as a historical museum and a royal monument of the king.  The re-opening of the palace was presided by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.  The palace museum houses exhibitions and other events to disseminate historical knowledge of the palace for the local youths and the general public. 

A Historical Tourist Attraction that Brings Economical and Societal Sustainability to Sichang Island

As Phra Chudhadhuj Palace Museum, only one and a half hours drive from Bangkok with private speed boat and hourly ferry services from the mainland, is an important historical tourist attraction on Si Chang Island for its historical value and beautiful ground upkept by Chulalongkorn University.  The museum records an average of over 250,000 visitors every year (as of 2019).  These visitors are tourists of Thai and foreign nationals, members of organizations visiting on field trips or educational visits, and participants of seminars held on the premise.  As the palace museum is the main attraction on the island, it contributes, in large part, in driving local economic growth resulting in the island’s tourism revenue in the amount of approximately 316,545,450 baht a year.

Chulalongkorn University also has a policy in creating jobs for Sichang locals by hiring staff for year-round operation and maintenance.  These positions are 24 administration staff members, 20 landscape maintenance staff and gardeners. 

Promoting Lifelong Learning, Pride and Love for Homeland for Local Youths

  • A Local History Education Project (Junior Tour Guide Program) enrolls local students in a six-day day camp in the summer to learn about the history and geo-architecture of Phra Chudhadhuj Palace and other historic places on the palace ground to promote hometown pride.  A test is administered, and certificates are presented to those who passed the test.  The palace museum weekend tour guide positions are also offered for outstanding camp graduates to supplement their allowance.    
  • Phra Chudhadhuj Field Trip Project takes students from schools on Koh Sichang who participate in Local History Education Project field trips in other provinces including Bangkok to help students understand local history in relations to history of other area and the country.
  • Phra Chudhadhuj Field Trip Project takes students from schools on Koh Sichang who participate in Local History Education Project field trips in other provinces including Bangkok to help students understand local history in relations to history of other area and the country.

Conservation and Awareness of Marine Resource Consumption

  • Marine Science Museum ‘Chollatassathan’ in Phra Chudhadhuj Palace Museum offers Gulf of Thailand Marine Life Exhibitions in to educate local students, community and visitors, and create awareness of marine environment in Thailand and the need for conservation, cleanliness of the beaches and ocean, and creating safe environment for marine life and protection from illegal fishing. 
  • Coral Planting Project off the shore of Phra Chudhadhuj Palace is carried out with collaboration between the government, private sector, and Aquatic Resources Research Institute, Chulalongkorn University. Local community is invited to take part in restoring coral and adding to the richness of marine environment along Sichang shore.  This is to create awareness of conservation of natural environment to the youths and the general public.   
  • Research on aquaculture economics and environment for sustainability of Koh Sichang has been conducted by Aquatic Resources Research Institute, Chulalongkorn University.

Preservation and Continuation of Art, Culture, and Tradition, with Collaboration from Government Office

(Affiliations: Fine Arts Department, Ministry of Culture, Koh Sichang Subdistrict Municipality, Chonburi Provincial Administrative Organization, Koh Sichang District, Cultural Council of Koh Sichang District, and Tourism Authority of Thailand, Pattaya Office)

  • Vesakha Bucha Day religious activities are held yearly on Vesakha Bucha Day tracing the tradition of Vesakha Bucha Day during the reign of King Chulalongkorn.  Local community, as well as visitors, are invited to join the festivity.  There is also lantern competition and other celebrations.  Approximately 400-500 people each year.   
  • Chulalongkorn Day is ceremoniously observed to commemorate the passing of King Chulalongkorn, one of the most revered kings of Thailand.  The ceremony involves worship ceremony, Buddhist prayers, and merit making dedicated to the late King Chulalongkorn.  Community services are also performed by the local public.
  • Anniversary of the foundation of the palace on August 10th of every year comprises merit making dedicated to King Chulalongkorn and those who had resided at the palace in the past.  It is when people in the community, government offices, and private organizations come together to interact for community services.
  • The Sichang Retro Event organized by Tambon Sichang Municipality, and supported by Phra Chudhadhuj Palace Museum, is a historical re-enactment of life on Koh Sichang on Phra Chudhadhuj Palace Museum premise.  This is an annual event to promote conservation tourism, sense of ownership and pride in Thai art and culture, and also boost local revenue.  Attendees dress in period costumes, Thai traditional music and dance are performed, and attendees join in a meal.

Phra Chudhadhuj Palace Museum is Chulalongkorn University’s creative learning space provided for general public, foreign tourists, and Sichang community, aiming to return the benefit to the community, and improve local economy by bringing in revenue from increasing number of visitors.  The university also works towards disseminating knowledge and instilling awareness and sense of ownership for people in the community, and continue to develop lives on the island. 

Phra Chudhadhuj Ratchasthan Palace Museum

Hours:

Tuesdays to Sundays, including public holidays
(Closes every Mondays)
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Tel. +66 38 216-416
No admission fee
https://www.facebook.com/phrachudadhuj

Getting to Si Chang Island:

Hourly public boat ride from Koh Loy Siracha Ferry
Duration: 45 minutes, Fare: 50 baht (US$1.67) per person

Getting around Si Chang Island:

– Skylab Tricycles Island Sightseeing: 250 baht (US$8.33) per tricycle
– Minibus Island Sightseeing: 500 baht (US$16.67) per bus
– Rental motorcycles:  250 baht (US$8.33) daily, 300 baht (US$10) overnight

Accommodation on Si Chang Island:

Rate between 500 baht (US$16.67) – 12,000 baht (US$400) per night