With a breezy seaside location 12km north of Hua Hin, this summer palace was built in 1924 during the reign of Rama VI. Set in a beautiful garden with statuesque trees and stunning sea views, it's a series of interlinked teak houses with tall, shuttered windows and patterned fretwork built upon stilts forming a shaded ground-level boardwalk.
The functional but elegant style of the palace was a result of Rama VI suffering from rheumatoid arthritis; the court’s Italian architect designed it to maximise air circulation and make the most of the seaside location. There's not a huge amount to see (a small selection of royal photos is on display), but it's a tranquil spot and Thais flock here to pay their respects.
The palace is within the grounds of Camp Rama VI, a military base, and you may need to show ID (passport). It is easiest to get here with private transport but you can also catch a Hua Hin–Cha-am bus and ask to be dropped off opposite the camp's front gate. Motorcycle taxis are sometimes waiting to take you the remaining 2km. As this is a royal palace, legs and arms should be covered, otherwise you'll be given a sarong-like garment to hide your limbs.
