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Grand Palace / Wat Phra Kaew, Bangkok

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Grand Palace / Wat Phra Kaew, Bangkok
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Grand Palace / Wat Phra Kaew
Maharaj Pier, Chao Phraya, Bangkok
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Grand Palace / Wat Phra Kaew: Huge Gold Temple
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  • The Grand Palace is HUGE !! My 1st impression before I got in, was that it was a huge touristy place ~ it is .... and much much more. There were just so many people there, locals and tourists alike. I was blinded by the dazzling sun and the gold coloured walls and chedis. Amazing. And so colourful too !! A myriad of colourful mosiac and stones, gave such rich colour to the surrounding. I went crazy & took so many pictures of them. What I like there was also the shade. There're many covered areas with stone platform for one to sit down and relax abit from the sun. Its really nice to see people go about and do their thing while sitting there with my camera .. heh heh heh heh ..

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  • Phone: 02-224-1833
  • Directions: The combined compound is open 8.30am to 3.30pm everyday. Cost is 200B (if you are Thai, it's free), and includes admission to Vimanmek Mansion and Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall, both in the Dusit area.
  • Website: http://www.discoverthailand.com/

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    Grand Palace / Wat Phra Kaew: The Royal Palace
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  • This is a glorious compound of temples that is a must see when in Bangkok. Wat Phra Kaew is the most sacred site in the country, a glorious explosion of Thai architecture and colour from start to finish, complete with murals of Hindu epic the Ramayana, statues of Yoga masters, the Chinese Goddess of Mercy and many Buddhas. The sacred Emerald Buddha statue is housed in a building that sparkles with gilt and glass, supported by 112 garudas. The Thai King still personally changes the Emerald Buddha's garments according to the seasons of the Buddhist year. Only the northern part of the massive palace proper is open to the public (apart from special royal ceremonies). The audience hall built by King Rama I is an example of traditional Thai architecture, featuring a roof glazed in red, gold and green and an exquisite throne inlaid with mother-of-pearl. When walking around, look out for the small details...like the beautifully manicured trees and bushes. When visiting the Royal Palace where appropriate attire...ie cover shoulders, dont wear shorts...show some respect!

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  • Phone: 02-224-1833
  • Website: http://www.discoverthailand.com/

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    Grand Palace / Wat Phra Kaew: The Grand Palace
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  • This palace has an area of 218,400 sq. metres and is surrounded by walls built in 1783. The length of the four walls totals 1900 metres. Within these walls are situated government offices and the Chapel Royal of the Emerald Buddha besides the royal residences. When Siam restored law and order after the fall of Ayutthaya the monarch lived in Thonburi on the other side of the river. Rama I, immediately on ascending the throne, moved the centre of administration to this side of the Chao Phraya; and, after erecting public monuments such as fortifications and monasteries, built a palace to serve not only as his residence but also his offices. This palace came to be known as the Grand Palace, in which the earliest edifices contemporary with the foundation of Bangkok were the two groups of residences named the Dusit-Mahaprasard and the Mahamontien One of Thailand's most revered temples, Wat Pra Kaeo is located inside the grounds of the Grand Palace. This Royal temple contains an exquisite Emerald Buddha which dates back to around the 14th century. No one is allowed near the Buddha which is raised high on a series of platforms, except the King. A seasonal cloak, changed three times a year to correspond to the summer, winter, and rainy season covers the statue. A very important ritual, the changing of the robes is performed only by the King to bring good fortune to the country during each season. The temple is beautifully decorated and has a great sense of peace about it. Location: Na Phra Lan Road Open: 8:30-12:00 and 13:00-15:30. Admission: 200 Baht (including tickets to The Coin Pavillion & Phra Thi Nang Vimanmek & Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall)

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  • Phone: 02-224-1833
  • Directions: The combined compound is open 8.30am to 3.30pm everyday. Cost is 200B (if you are Thai, it's free), and includes admission to Vimanmek Mansion and Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall, both in the Dusit area.
  • Website: http://www.discoverthailand.com/

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    Grand Palace / Wat Phra Kaew: Wat Phra Kaew & Grand Palace
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  • (last date visited : April 13, 2006) The most sacred Buddha image in Thailand can be found in the temple of the Emerald Buddha---Wat Phra Kaew and adjoins The Grand Palace. My friend Tina and I was able to see the Emerald Buddha without paying 200 THB!!! How? Don't know also.....

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  • Phone: 02-224-1833
  • Directions: The combined compound is open 8.30am to 3.30pm everyday. Cost is 200B (if you are Thai, it's free), and includes admission to Vimanmek Mansion and Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall, both in the Dusit area.
  • Website: http://www.discoverthailand.com/

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    Grand Palace / Wat Phra Kaew: It's a must to see when you visit Thailand
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  • Being the city landmarks, these two accompanying attractions serve to be the first place on any visitor’s itinerary. They are within the same compound on Na Phra Lan Road near Sanam Luang, surrounded by high white walls occupying an area of about a square mile. The palace, founded in 1782, consists of several buildings with highly decorated architectural details. The Royal Chapel, Wat Phra Kaeo, Houses the Emerald Buddha, the most sacred Buddha image in Thailand, photography inside this building is forbidden. The complex is open daily from 08.30 – 15.30 hours, admission fee is 250 Baht. Proper dress is required.

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  • Phone: 02-224-1833
  • Website: http://www.discoverthailand.com/

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    Grand Palace / Wat Phra Kaew: Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew
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  • Chakri Maha Prasat Hall, Grand Palace - Bangkok
    Chakri Maha Prasat Hall, Grand
    Palace
    by SWFC_Fan, 4 more photos
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    I visited the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew during a visit to Bangkok in September 2007. I put on a pair of long trousers and a t-shirt which covered my shoulders (a necessity in order to be allowed in) and paid 250 Bahts (approx. 4 GBP) for a ticket which included not only the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, but also the Vimanmek Mansion Museum and The Pavilion of Regalia, Decorations and Coins. I never actually visited the latter attractions, which were located elsewhere. One of my favourite sights was the one that first appeared upon entering Wat Phra Kaew – the golden Phra Siratana Chedi (a large golden spire), standing next to the colourful Phra Mondop and Prasat Phra Dhepbidorn – three impressive spires reaching towards the skies. The Temple of the Emerald Buddha was undergoing external renovation work during my visit and so was covered in blue tarpaulin. I took off my shoes and went inside for a quick look. Many people, locals and tourists alike, were sat on the floor, cross legged, ensuring their feet were not pointing at the Emerald Buddha. Outside, a queue of people were waiting to light candles. I wandered around the array of impressive temples and colourful chedi towers, and spent a few minutes looking at a replica model of Angkor Wat. I then made my way towards the Grand Palace, taking lots of photos of the impressive Chakri Maha Prasat Hall fronted by green lawns and trees. Some sort of “changing of the guards” procession was taking place, as a group of young men in white uniforms marched past me with guns at the ready. I ended my visit by browsing the Wat Phra Kaew Museum (free entry).

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  • Phone: 02-224-1833
  • Website: http://www.discoverthailand.com/

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    Grand Palace / Wat Phra Kaew: Maintenance can be nearly a full time job!
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  • ......we got lucky and saw them uninterrupted! - Bangkok
    ......we got lucky and saw
    them uninterrupted!
    by thedouglas, 1 more photos
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    These goegeous glass glazed garuda's which adorn the outter of stupas at Wat Phra Khao are something to truly behold, and you can spend all day trying to catch them on photograph. That is, if you are lucky to be visiting when they are not undergoing peeling and refreshing the glass mosaic tiles which form the decorative "crust". Due to the smog and general exposure of these figures, they are renovated twice a year, and each time takes a few months - so there are few months when you can see them without scaffolding etc. impeding your full enjoyment of them. However, a bonus can be to watch the craft of the work. June is one of the lucky months to see them freshened up, i discovered!


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    Grand Palace / Wat Phra Kaew: Wat Phra Keo and the Grand Palace
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  • This is the number one of the tourist attractions in Bangkok. And indeed, there were lots and lots of tourists! The temple of the Emerals Buddha ( Wat Phra Keo) adjoins the Grand Palace on the same ground. There are about 100 buildings, representing 200 years of royal history. Honestly, I was a bit disappointed after the visit. Of course, it's beautiful, but due to the amount of tourists, I had some difficulty seeing the serenity of the temple. I didn't have the feeling that I was in a religious place. To me, Wat Pho and Wat Benchamabophit were far more beautiful and authentic!

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  • Phone: 02-224-1833
  • Directions: The combined compound is open 8.30am to 3.30pm everyday. Cost is 200B (if you are Thai, it's free), and includes admission to Vimanmek Mansion and Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall, both in the Dusit area.
  • Website: http://www.discoverthailand.com/

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    Grand Palace / Wat Phra Kaew: The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew
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  • Wat Phra Kaew, also know as the Temple of The Emerald Buddha, is right next to Bangkok's Grand Palace. The huge gold spires and mosaics of Wat Phra Kaew are beautiful. The Emerald Buddha (which is actually jade) is very tiny. Much smaller than I expected. The Grand Palace is also amazing. Built in 1782 by King Rama 1 the palace is an amazing example of Thai architecture.

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  • Phone: 02-224-1833
  • Directions: The combined compound is open 8.30am to 3.30pm everyday. Cost is 200B (if you are Thai, it's free), and includes admission to Vimanmek Mansion and Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall, both in the Dusit area.
  • Website: http://www.discoverthailand.com/

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    Grand Palace / Wat Phra Kaew: Yakshas
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  • Guarding each entrance to Temple of the Emerald Buddha are large statues of demons. These are called yakshas, and are really imposing figures! Each of the yakshas are decorated as the temples the border. Each is set on a pedestal and is about 4 meters high.

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  • Phone: 02-224-1833
  • Website: http://www.discoverthailand.com/

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