Romance of the three kingdoms

After so many years, I thought I knew of all of the attractions in the Pattaya area. So it was with some surprise that we stumbled across this place when we took a wrong turn on the way home.

The complex was started by Chinese/Thai industrialist Kiarti Srifuengfung, and his family (who own the nearby Horseshoe Point), completed the construction after his death.

Entry is 80 baht for Thais and foreign residents, and 150 baht for tourist riff-raff. When we arrived at the opening time of 1000 there was nobody else around, not even the ticket seller who had to hunt us down as we walked around.

A small bus with some Thai tourists arrived as we were leaving an hour or so later; but it does seem to be outside the normal Chinese bus tour route. Hooray.

There were signs in certain places indicating that photos were not to be taken, but nobody seemed bothered about a man with an Olympus, a Leica and an exposure meter hanging round his neck; so I snapped freely.

The main building contains the story of Kiarti’s life and an exhortation to his family for the future. He was not a modest man.

The other buildings contain assorted artifacts and statues, and there is a long walkway with the “Romance of the tree kingdoms” story told in tiles.

It’s a pleasant enough place for a wander around.

[map address=“12.905556, 100.976389” E" type=“roadmap” map_style=“default” overlay_color="" infobox=“default” infobox_background_color="" infobox_text_color="" infobox_content="" icon="" width=“100%” height=“300px” zoom=“14” scrollwheel=“yes” scale=“yes” zoom_pancontrol=“yes” popup=“yes” class="" id=""][/map]

On the way home we discussed the family that owned it.

Perhaps they also own the Thai Polo Club which is just down the road, suggested my wife.

No, that it is owned by Harold somebody, I told her.

It would be good if his name was Harold Luya. Then he would have a song about himself.

My wife’s brain works in weird and wonderful ways.

Comments 🔗

2015-06-04 | Samkok911 says

This is a wonderful place for Chinese history lover.

2015-06-04 | subroto mukerji says

This is a wonderful place for shooting a Bruce Lee film…alas, too late the hero.

2015-06-05 | Chang Noi says

I think that must been there a few years as I can remember that a friend of mine was invited to make a video shoot there (and that was about 12 years ago). It took him awhile to get there as he did go to the horse club in Naklua. People who build this kind of things to be remembered are most times not humble. I like the photo of the smiling Buddha’s.

2015-06-05 | Pete says

Did I understand that right; you thought you knew all the attractions of Pattaya after so many years there, and yet you took a wrong turn to go home?

2015-06-06 | genuinej says

Probably just confirmation that the ageing process is functioning properly.

2015-06-06 | Grant says

It’s really good. Each new day comes as a complete surprise…

2015-06-07 | Spike says

Actually we were investigating a sign to something that turned out to be buggy rental; I just couldn’t be bothered explaining it.

2015-06-07 | Andrew says

You wanted to rent some bugs? thought you had lots in the garden…..