ANANDA SAMAKHOM THRONE HALL
One year after the completion of the construction of Amphorn Satharn within the Dusit Palace in 1906, His Majesty King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) had commissioned the construction of another hall. This reception hall is situated to the east of the Amphorn Satharn in addition the the other reception halls in the palace grounds. The commemorative stone was placed by Hid Majesty King Chulalongkorn in November , on the occasion of his 40 th year of ascension to the throne. The Throne Hall was named after an old hall which was constructed during the reign of His Majesty King Mongkut (Rama IV) which at the time was in such bad condition that it could not be renovated. It was torn down and made into a garden.
The committee commissioned by His Majesty King Chulalongkorn consisted of :
Cho Phraya Yommaraj (Pan Sukhum) Head of Construction
Phraya Prachakornkij Vijarn (O Amatayakul) Deputy
Mr. M. Tmagno Architect
Mr. A. Rigotti Assitstant
Mr. C. Allegri Engineer
Mr. E.G. Gallo Assitant
Mr. C. Riguli Painter
Prof. G. Chini Painter
The Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall was constructed in the Italian Renaissance and Neo Classic style of architecture. The exterior is decorated with marble from Carrara, Italy.
The Throne Hall is a two storey marble construction approximately 49.50 meters in width - 112.50 meters in length and 49.50 meters in height, with a large dome in the centre surrounded by six smaller domes.
The construction of the Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall was carried out during the later years of His Majesty King Chulalongkorn's life. He passed away in 1910 and to fulfill the late wish of His Majesty King Chulalongkorn it was finally completed in 1915. The construction took eight years, and the total budget came to 15 million bath.
One the interior of the domes are paintings depicting the history of the Chakri Dynasty, from the first to the sixth reign. These paintings by Mr. C. Riguli and Prof. G. Chini are as follows:
On the interior of the dome on the north side is a painting of His Majesty King Phra Phutta Yot Fa (Rama I), during the time when he was titled Somdet Chao Praya Maha Kasatsuk, upon his return from the war with Cambodia.
On the Eastern Dome is a painting of Their Majesties King Phra Phutta Loetla Napalai (Rama II) and Phra Nang Klao (Rama III) supporting art.
On the Western Dome is a painting of His Majesty King Mongkut (Rama IV) supporting religious activities.
On the Southern Dome is a painting of His Majesty King Chulalongkorn abolishing slavery.
The paintings on the walls under the central dome are of His Majesty King Vajiravudh (Rama VI)'s coronation at the Dusit Maha Prasart, Busabok Mala Grand throne in 1911.
The walls of Ananda Samakhom are decorated with the Royal Monograms of His Majesty King Chulalongkorn and His Majesty King Vajiravudh, decorated with the garuda, the naga, the Erawan in natural surroundings and paintings of Thai and European children. Along the balcony of the central dome are art nouveau' paintings of European ladies holding garlands of flowers.
After the change from an Absolute Monarchy to a Constitutional Monarchy on the 24 th of June 1932, the Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall was used for many official functions, as was the wish of His Majesty King Chulalongkorn as well as holding the meetings of the Member of Parliament.