The Royal Plaza, or formally Dusit Palace Plaza, and also known among Thais as Equestrian Statue Plaza, is an important public square in the palace and government quarter of Bangkok, the capital of Thailand.
Equestrian statue of King Chulalongkorn at the Royal Plaza
The Royal Plaza with a glimpse of Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, completely sealed off by a fence as of 2022
Siamese revolution commemoration plaque, removed in 2017
Dusit Palace is a compound of royal residences in Bangkok, Thailand. Constructed over a large area north of Rattanakosin Island between 1897 and 1901 by King Chulalongkorn. The palace, originally called Wang Suan Dusit or 'Dusit Garden Palace' (วังสวนดุสิต), eventually became the primary place of residence of the King of Thailand, including King Chulalongkorn, King Vajiravudh, King Prajadhipok, King Bhumibol Adulyadej and King Vajiralongkorn. The palace covers an area of over 64,749 square metres (696,950 sq ft) and is dotted between gardens and lawns with 13 different royal residences. Dusit Palace is bordered by Ratchwithi Road in the north, Sri Ayutthaya Road in the south, Ratchasima Road in the west and U-Thong Nai Road on the east.
Aerial view of Dusit Palace, in the southern part of Dusit District, Bangkok
King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) found the Grand Palace too overcrowded and unhealthy, as a result he began construction on a new palace, which eventually became Dusit Palace.
The Vimanmek Mansion, built in 1900, is entirely made of teak. It was built in Ko Sichang, Chonburi Province, but was dismantled on the orders of the king and reconstructed at Dusit Palace in 1901.
Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall was built in 1904 as an audience hall and entertainment venue for the Dusit Palace complex.