Bangkok's famous palace complex was built in 1782 and features several magnificent buildings including WatPhraKaeo (Temple of the
Emerald Buddha), which contains the beautiful Emerald Buddha that features at number 12 on this list.
The palace is one of Bangkok's most popular tourist attractions and a former resident of the King. Even though, the King no longer lives,
here a part of the complex is off-limits to tourists as it is used for royal residences.
It would be a good idea to visit the palace on a weekday as several parts of it are closed for ceremonies over the weekend.
The palace is one of Bangkok's most popular tourist attractions and a former resident of the King. Even though, the King no
longer lives, here a part of the complex is off-limits to tourists as it is used for royal residences.
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Constructed by King Rama I, the palace integrates many architectural styles and is worh the steep fee that you must pay to access it. Know
also that there is a dress code with women being required to cover their upper arms and legs down to the thighs and men being required to
wear long trousers and at the very least a t-shirt.
The Grand Palace is a complex of buildings at the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. The palace has been the official residence of the Kings of
Siam(and later Thailand) since 1782. The king, his court and his royal government were based on the grounds of the palace until 1925. The
present monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), currently resides at Chitralada Palace, but the Grand Palace is still used for official
events. Several royal ceremonies and state functions are held within the walls of the palace every year. The palace is one of the most
popular tourist attractions in Thailand.
Construction of the palace began on 6 May 1782, at the order of King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (Rama I), the founder of the Chakri Dynasty,
when he moved the capital city from Thonburi to Bangkok. Throughout successive reigns, many new buildings and structures were added,
especially during the reign of KingChulalongkorn (Rama V). By 1925, the king, the Royal Family and the government were no longer
permanently settled at the palace, and had moved to other residences. After the abolition of absolute monarchy in 1932, all government
agencies completely moved out of the palace.
In shape, the palace complex is roughly rectangular and has a combined area of 218,400 square metres (2,351,000 sq ft), surrounded by four
walls. It is situated on the banks of the Chao Phraya River at the heart of the Rattanakosin Island, today in the Phra Nakhon District. The
Grand Palace is bordered by Sanam Luang and Na Phra Lan Road to the north, Maharaj Road to the west, Sanamchai Road to the east and Thai
Wang Road to the south.
Rather than being a single structure, the Grand Palace is made up of numerous buildings, halls, pavilions set around open lawns, gardens
and courtyards. Its asymmetry and eclectic styles are due to its organic development, with additions and rebuilding being made by
successive reigning kings over 200 years of history. It is divided into several quarters: the Temple of the Emerald Buddha; the Outer
Court, with many public buildings; the Middle Court, including the Phra Maha Monthien Buildings, the Phra Maha Prasat Buildings and the
Chakri Maha Prasat Buildings; the Inner Court and the Siwalai Gardens quarter. The Grand Palace is currently partially open to the public
as a museum, but it remains a working palace, with several royal offices still situated inside.