Asadang Bridge, Phra Chudhadhuj Palace Museum

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.  Chulalongkorn University was entrusted by the Treasury Department in 1978 to establish Koh Si Chang Marine Science Research Centre of Chulalongkorn University on part of the palace and to maintain the palace as a historic site including its historic items therein. 

When Fine Art Department, Ministry of Culture, listed Phra Chudhadhuj Palace as a National Historic Site in 1990, to ensure the compliance with historic building restoration and preservation regulations of the government, Chulalongkorn University started its collaboration with the department in restoring the remaining five buildings on the palace premise while retaining its original use of clean energy.  The palace was open for historical tourism in 2004 with the entire property as a museum.  Phra Chudhadhuj Palace Museum, since then, has been the main attraction on this otherwise a small, quiet fishery island.  The operation of the museum has created jobs and businesses over the decades that changed in the economic make-up of the island.

The fact that Phra Chudhadhuj Palace Museum, Si Chang Island, with 219 rai (86.59 acres) of the exquisite ground resulted from regular maintenance, is in a close proximity to Bangkok and easily accessible with hourly boat services, there was an average of 209,125 visitors to the museum in 2019, a steady increase from 192,232 in 2017 and 200,500 in 2018.  The museum plays a significant role in economic and societal sustainability on the island, rendering approximately 316 million baht in yearly revenue for the islanders from the historical tourism (www.kohsichang.go.th).  Nevertheless, the museum has seen a drastic decrease in the number of visitors in 2020 (166,870 visitors) and 2021 (79,066 visitors as of August 2021) as a result from the Covid-19 pandemic that has impacted tourism worldwide. 

In addition to generating income for the local community, Phra Chudhadhuj Palace Museum supports life-long learning for the youths, especially in the area of background of the local historical sites, to instill pride and love for their place of birth.  It also supports conservation and create an awareness of proper usage of marine resources, and has established long-term collaborations with the government and private sectors in preserving and continuing the culture and traditions of the Si Chang community.

During the widespread of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020-2021, Phra Chudhadhuj Palace Museum has carried out the operation in compliance with the governmental regulations as follows:

During the closure of tourist attractions nationwide:

  • Started out a minor restoration, maintenance, and landscape improvement in the areas that have not been open for public by specialists from the Fine Art Department with a total of 9,700,000 baht (US$323,000) budget allocated by the department and Chulalongkorn University.  These works in progress include a restoration of a pagoda built in the architectural style from the reign of Rama II (1782-2809), a maintenance of basins and the stone stairways used as adductors in the original irrigation system, maintenance of vegetation, and opening new archeological survey sites.  This current restoration is projected to finish in the middle of 2022.

A maintenance of basins

A maintenance of royal bath, and stone handrail

  • Chulalongkorn University allocated budget in the amount of 5,000,000 baht (US$167,000) for year-long general operations.  Security is provided around the clock.  Housekeeping and maintenance of the landscape are done regularly.
  • Suspended activities are:
  • Local History Education Project (Junior Tour Guide Program) that educates the youth on historical background and hire them as part-time tour guides for the museum after completion.
  • Phra Chudhadhuj Field Trip Project that takes students from schools on Si Chang island on field trips in other provinces including Bangkok to help students understand local history in relations to history of other areas and the country.
  • Religious activities on Vesakha Bucha Day.

During the reopening of tourist attractions:

  • Screening measures were put in place for both locals and tourists before entering the Museum.
  • Host activities in a flexible manner in response to the directives of Chonburi province, for instance, take temperature of staff and attendees, impose mask mandate, strictly observe physical distancing, limit the number of attendees, and provide hand sanitizer.
  • A religious ceremony to commemorate the 128th anniversary of Phra Chudhadhuj Palace Founding Day on August 10, 2020.
  • A commemoration of the 167th birthday of King Chulalongkorn during September 19-20, 2020, which marked the 21st collaboration between Si Chang Municipal Office and Chulalongkorn University on such event.
  • A wreath laying ceremony and merit making on Chulalongkorn Day, October 23, 2020.

Phra Chudhadhuj 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