Palaces, Bangkok

2 more images

This impressive building is located opposite the Grand Palace (on its eastern side) and was built in the late European architectural style in 1884. It was built as a royal residence for the kings children.

1 more image

The Borom Phiman Mansion is located in the grounds of the Grand Palace complex. You have to look at it through closed gated, guarded, gates.

This Mansion was built in 1903 by King Rama v for the future King Rama V1. It has been used as a Royal Residence for King Rama V11, V111 & IX.
It is now used as a Royal Guest House for visiting Heads Of States, and His Majesties guests.

While I was visiting, the guards quickly moved everybody away from this Mansion. We did not know what was going on. After a while, a large entourage of big cream Mercedes passed through the open gates into the grounds of this Mansion.
I was told it was the Crown Prince. The Royal Ploughing Festival was being held on the Monday.
So, if this happens to you, you know that something important is about to happen.

2 more images

Bangkok Anantasamakhon Throne Hall


Information
Name: Bangkok Anantasamakhon Throne Hall
Attraction Type: Palace
City: Bangkok


My Photos
First Photo: View to Palace from Vianamek
Second photo: Bangkok Anantasamakhon Throne Hall
Third photo: Bangkok Anantasamakhon Throne Hall

This area of the city is well worth paying a visit to. Here you find Vimanmek Museum and the Anantasamakhom Throne Hall. The Throne hall is a two storey Marble building, built in an Italian Renaissance and Neo Classic style of architecture. In 1932, it was used as headquarters for the People's party during the 4days of the revolution. After that, it was used as Parliament House until 1974, when a new Parliament House was built. Entry is included in your Grand Palace admission ticket. It is a very imposing building. Nearby is the Dusit Zoo which is very busy on weekends. Just across the road on Sri Ayutthaya road, is Wat Benchamabophit (Marble Temple)

Ministry of Defence (this is not a typo) sits across the Grand Palace along Ratchadamnoen Naai road. On a sunny day, the building can be viewed from just about any angled and takes great pictures.

This handsome and huge building was built in 1882 but completed in 1884. Was formerly a barrack and storehouse and became the head office of Ministry of Defence later.

The Dusit Palace complex actually consist of the famous Vimanmek Palace, Ananta Samakorn Throne Hall and Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall. So, if you are visiting the Vimanmek Palace, do make a stop here.

Do note that many visitors confuse this with the much smaller Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall that is located right behind it. This is not entirely their fault, since many maps actually made that mistake as well, since they had probably expected this larger building to be the Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall.

The interior of the incredibly ornate building can only be described as "spectacular". The throne hall is vast and everything from the stair case leading into the chamber and the intricately designed ceilings exude a majestic aura. It is basically an empty building, but is definitely worth going to for a look.

I cannot recall if there was an admission fee (I think it was included in the 100 baht admission rate for Vimanmek Palace), but you do have to pay 20 baht to use their locker since indoor photography, as with the case with Vimanmek Palace, is not allowed. You will also have to store your shoes aside on the provided rack before entry as well.

This palace was built in 1910-1922 AD. by King Rama V as his countryside resort. In King Rama VI reign,he used this palace as model democracy city. He planned this model city as normal city and he also was one ordinary people in this city.Later,this palace was changed to be a hotel,it was the first hotel in Thailnd. At the end this palace is under Military Hospital.About the palace buildings. the architecture style is in Romantic style designed by European architects. Inside the halls decorated with frescos and stucco. There're also the Roman garden in Romantic style behide the halls.Nowaday,it 's on establishing to be a museum.

Wat Pho, Wat Arun and the Grand Palace have to be the Top 3 Must See's for even the shortest stay in Bangkok. And for good reason... they are the classical images we all have of Bangkok and an ancient Siam.

All can easily be visited in one morning or afternoon session as they are all close together... around the Rattanoksin Island in the ancient heart of the city.

It is worthwhile seeing the Grand Palace in the late afternoon, after 3.00pm as the tour buses drift off and the heat calms a little. In the early evening the sunsets can be spectaular - there is something to be said for a polluted sky . And after dark at 6.30pm the halogen lamps kick in to spectacularly light the chedis and prangs. (The downside to this is that the Grand palace entry ticket always seem to give you free access to the Teak Palace - which is 30 mins away, you won't get there in time.) This picture was snapped / wrenched from the built environment at 5.30pm on a rainy season evening. The sky wasn't quite that pink... until I had fiddled it in Photoshop.

And relax a bit. Do not be put off by those naughty pimps outside saying the GP is closed, it won't be between 10.00 and 16.00. Enjoy the respect the Thais have for their Royalty, in that you need to have covered legs and arms. They will hire you trousers and shirts if you are not prepared.

Inside the Palace there is ample to keep you interested for over two hours... too much to write here - guide books feature the Emerald Buddha and the other attractions. And the tops of these chedis and prangs are not lightening conductors... as some have asked me. Those bits on top of the chedi (the round slim bell shape things) are pli: seven for the most revered religious images and Royals. Those spikes on top of the prangs - the corn on the cob shaped towers - these three dimensional nine-pointed finials are called fak pega.

Can you imagine this Siamese palace when rules were enforced that no other building should be as tall as these towers? The mind just goes into overdive...