Grand Palace - Wat Phra Kaew, Bangkok

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The Grand Palace complex was established in 1782 and it houses not only the royal residence and throne halls, but also a number of government offices as well as the renowned Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew). The palace was built during the reign of King Rama I, when he moved the capital across the river from Thonburi to Bangkok. For various reasons, the new king considered the former capital to be unsuitable and decided to establish a new capital on the other side of the Chao Phraya River. By his royal command, a new palace was built to serve not only as his residence but also as the site of some administrative offices to be collectively known as the Grand Palace - Bangkok's most visited tourist destination.

At first the palace consisted of several wooden buildings surrounded on four sides with a high defensive wall of 1,900 metres in length, which encloses an area of 218,400 square metres. Soon the King ordered the building of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha; as the Monarch’s personal place of worship and royal temple. Once the palace was complete the King decided to undergo a coronation ceremony to celebrate in 1785. The royal kings, from Rama I to Rama IV have lived here but Rama V decided to stay at the Dusit Palace, but still used the Grand Palace as an office and primary place of residence. This practice was followed by his sons (Rama VI and Rama VII) who preferred their own palaces. King Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII) moved into the palace full time after his return from abroad in 1945. However after his mysterious death a year later in one of the palaces inside the complex, his brother King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), who succeeded him, decided to move permanently to the Chitralada Palace.

The plan of the Grand Palace followed closely that of the old palace in Ayutthaya. The Palace is rectangular shaped, with the western side next to a river and the royal temple situated to the east side, with all structures facing north. The palace itself is divided into three quarters: the outer quarters, the middle quarters and the inner quarters. As it's a large complex with a lot to see, allow yourself plenty of time to visit and it's best to cover your legs as you might not be allowed in to visit the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

Open: 8.30am-4.30pm. Admission: 350B.

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We took the tourist boat to the Mjaraj Pier. If you want to go to the Grand Palace, turn Left when you get on the street. We went right and ended up visiting wat Pho.

When we set out to walk to the Grand Palace, we were stopped by a man who told us that he was a bus driver with one of the visiting tourist groups and was going to help us. First he told us we were dressed innappropriately (shorts and t-shirts) which we were aware of. Then he told us that the palace was closed for lunch and that we needed to see several other wats. He repeated many times that we were wasting our trip to Bangkok if we didn't see the sitting, standing, lying Buddhas. He then solicited the help of a Tuk Tuk driver to take us where we needed to go. It was a good thing we read all about this scam. It was VERY convincing and the gates of the Grand Palace weren't even in sight.

We read many different reviews, but were still confused as to what to wear to the Grand Palace. Fortunately, the signage was clear when we got there.

No sleevess shirts
No tank tops
No short tops
No see through tops

No shorts
No short pants (Pants must be regular length)
No pants with holes
No tight pants
No short skirts

There are no regulations about footwear.

Outside the gate, there is a place to borrow clothing. There is a deposit of 100 baht per item. For men, it looked like loose drawstring pants. Women received sarongs to wrap around their wastes. We did see a man who tried to get by with a sarong who was turned away.

We had brought appropriate clothes and were told to skip the line and go directly to the dressing rooms to change.

I hace been there during my last visit to bagkok: a breathtaking place. Rarely I have seen place like such and surely is worth the visit.
Thousand of people inside the many buildings which form up the complex. It show the greatness of the Siam's kings during the age, and a place full of spirituality where everyone feels like close to... dreams. My eyes hardly try to find out a place where richness were not of such grandiosity, since all statues and buildings were kind of masterpieces a person rarely may enjoy during abroad trips. The entry fee is 350 bath per person but price is nothing compared to what you see. Get lost and amused by the many attractions and royal meseums display rich cloths and regalia belonging to the kings and weapons from the age.
Be aware of Thai persons who approach you, telling the Palace is not open on that day trying to smuggle you somewhere else: it is just a tentative of a scam. the palace IS open every morning, to all.

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Established in 1782, the Grand Palace complex not only houses the royal residence and throne halls, but also a number of government office as well as the renowned Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

The 1900 meters in length wall covers an area of 218,000 square meters.

This palace was built after King Rama I's ascension to the throne in 1782.

Open everday from 9.30 a.m. to 3.15 p.m.
Tickets sold until 3.00 p.m.

Please note strict dress-code rules.

Considered one of the most important Buddhas in Thailand, this small but magnificient green jadiete Buddha is a sight to behold placed in the a royal room with thrones, chandeliers, with a room of a golden glow with many other priceless religious and royal items.

Local Thai do come in to pray. Tourists can sit too on the floor in the hall in silence to appreciate the aura and atmosphere inside. Of course, with the shoes removed outside before entering.

Do spend more than a few minutes to appreciate this hall filled with other eye catching items and paintings on the wall and ceilings and pillars decorated with colorful tiles. No photography inside.

One of the most photographed view for group tours is the Grand Palace.

One of the rooms at the ground floor is open as a small collection of Thai traditional weapons and armory. The building is out of bounce for tourists and so it is only viewed from the outside.

There are Thail royal guards in uniformed with statues of elphants do add a touch of Thai. The colors of orange and green of the Thai style roofs and the sculptured trees make this place unique Thai.

So do not forget to take a photo to prove you were here.

The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew are a highlight of Bangkok.

The Wat Phra Keaw is a temple in the middle of the complex that contains the Emerald Buddha (carved with nephrite, a type of Jade) and this is one of the most revered of the Thai Buddha's. The stupa was discovered in the 15th century but was captured by Laotian invaders until it was returned and placed in the current site during the reign of Rama I around 1790.

The Grand Palace is a series of colourful and lavish buildings with some amazing carvings and statues. The site is large and you can easily spend hours here. You will need to cover up, trousers for men, no bare shoulders for women, don't worry you can hire the appropriate clothing at the gate.

Do not miss this site.

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The Grand Palace takes quite a while to look at and it is full of Tourists, so don't expect to get photos without people in them, that would be nearly impossible!

First of all, BE AWARE of the Tuk Tuk drivers telling you that the Palace is closed and wanting to take you to other Temples and probably shops, hoping that you will buy.
THIS IS NOT THE CASE.
The Palace is OPEN EVERY DAY from 8.30am to 4.30pm and the cost in 2009 was 350tb.
It will only be closed if being used for a State Function.

Also included in the price, is a ticket to Vimanmek Mansion and Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall which are located at Dusit. (Use the admission ticket within 7 days)
Unluckily for me, Vimanmek Mansion was closed for 4days, this may have been because the Prince was in town, I really don't know, but a notice said it was closed.

The Grand Palace was built in 1782, and here you will find what used to be the Royal residence ( the King now lives in Chitralada Palace ) and Throne Halls as well as Government Offices. The Grand Palace is now used mainly for ceremonial occassions. Most of the interiors are closed to visitors, but it is well worth strolling around the grounds and having a look at the Royal Thai Decoration & Coin Pavillion.

Be aware not to wear Tank tops and be respectfully dressed.