Sanam Chandra Palace (Thai: Sanam Chan; "Moon Plaza") is a palace complex built by Vajiravudh in Nakhon Pathom Province, Thailand, 56 km west of Bangkok. The palace complex is about a kilometer away from the Phra Pathommachedi. The complex consists of five buildings and a Ganesh shrine.
Before ascending the throne, the then Crown Prince Vajiravudh came to this city to pay homage to Phra Pathommachedi. He wished to build a palace here as a retreat and a residence during his pilgrimage trip to the stupa. He viewed the area as a strategic location. In 1907, he bought about 335 acres of land around Noen Prasart Hill (Thai: Noen Prasat; "Castle Hill") from local people. Noen Prasart Hill is believed to be the site of an ancient palace. He then had Luang Phitak Manop (Noi Silapi, later Phraya Visukam Prasit) design and supervise the construction of the palace. The construction began in 1902 by the end of Chulalongkorn's reign (1868 – 1910). It was completed in 1911. Vajiravudh named it Sanam Chandra Palace after a natural pool nearby called "Sa Nam Chand" (Thai: Sa Nam Chan; "Moon Pond"). In addition, the king had another plan for this palace. It was to serve not only as a retreat, but also as a stronghold during a national crisis. Here, he regularly held practices for the Wild Tigers Corps, a para – military troop. According to Vajiravudh's will, the palace was given to the government to be the site of a military academy. However, after the reign of Vajiravudh the palace was closed and transformed to Nakhon Pathom's administrative area. Some palace halls were dismantled and moved to National Museum in Bangkok for preservation.
In 1965 Silpakorn University, a well known Thai university, for art and archaeology study, improved its educational program with additional new faculties and urgently needed a larger area to accommodate the expansion. The university and Thai cabinet approved to use the area of Sanam Chandra Palace to be the new university campus since the area was suitable since the palace once belong to Vajiravudh, an archeologist and artist himself. Also in the palace ground is a Ganash Shrine, god of art and the symbol of the university seal. Moreover, Nakhon Pathom is an important archaeological site for the Dvaravati Period in Thailand.
The architectural design of Sanam Chandra Palace is interesting, bringing together a number of concepts reflecting international influence. The five principal buidings are the Bhimarn Prathom Residence, Samakkeemukamartaya Hall, Chaleemongkolasana Residence, Mareerajaratanabulung Residence and Thub Kwan Residence as well as the Ganesh Shrine within the palace grounds.

Source: Wikipedia