Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall | Bangkok, Thailand

The Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall (Thai: พระที่นั่งอนันตสมาคม) is a former reception hall within Dusit Palace in Bangkok, Thailand. It is now a museum.

One year after construction was completed of the Amphorn Satharn Villa, His Majesty King Rama V commissioned the construction of Ananda Samakhom. It is situated to the east of Amphorn Satharn Villa. The commemorative stone was placed by King Rama V in November on the occasion of his 40th year of ascension to the throne. Ananda Samakhom is named after an old hall constructed during the reign of His Majesty King Rama IV which at the time was in such bad condition that it could not be renovated
Construction

Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall was constructed in the Italian Renaissance and Neoclassical style of architecture. The exterior is decorated with marble from Carrara, Italy. It is a two storey marble construction approximately 49.50 meters wide, 112.50 meters long and 47.50 meters high with a large center dome surrounded by six smaller domes. Construction was carried out during the latter years of King Rama V's life. It was completed in 1915, having taken eight years and a total budget of 15 million baht to complete.

Paintings

On the interior of the domes are paintings depicting the history of the Chakri Dynasty from the first to the sixth reign painted by Galileo Chini and C. Riguli. On the interior of the northern dome is a painting of His Majesty King Rama I upon his return from the war with Cambodia. On the eastern dome is a painting of Their Majesties King Rama II and King Rama III supporting art. On the western dome is a painting of King Rama IV supporting religious activities and on the southern dome is a painting of King Rama V abolishing slavery.