Breakaway Destination Guides (International)

For about 150 years, The Grand Palace was not only the home of the King and his court, but also the entire administrative seat of government. Within the crenulated walls were the country's war ministry, state departments, and even the mint. Thai Kings stopped living in the palace around the turn of the twentieth century.

Bangkok

Teak Mansion, Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall, Wat Pho, Wat Arun

There is an entrance fee

Take the Chao Praya River express, metro, Skytrain or bus from Bangkok bus station

The Grand Palace is one of the major tourism attractions in Bangkok. Built in 1782, the palace occupies an area of 218,400 sq. meters and is surrounded by walls. Within these walls are situated the Royal residences, the Chapel Royal of the Emerald Buddha and the Government offices.

NOTE: (Please Read 'Dress Code at the Grand Palace' before your visit)

  Map of the Grand Palace    Temple of the Emerald Buddha

The best way to approach the Grand Palace complex id from the Chao Praya River. The palace complex and Wat Pra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) are set within almost 10ha (25acres) of flat ground that was consecrated in the eighteenth century. It is surrounded by a white wall that belies the unbelievable colourful Wat within.

The Grand Palace itself is not lived in by the king, but is only used on ceremonial occasions. The four buildings that make up the complex are not open to the public, but you can admire their exterior architecture. The largest building, the Grand Palace Hall was built by British architects in the late 1880's.

Nothing could prepare you for your first sight of Wat Pra Kaew. The colours of the Theravade Buddhism are red, green, orange and yellow and along with masses of gilded and gold leaf, lotus bud patters and columns encrusted with gleaming mosaics, these colours are everywhere. So bright they hurt the eye. The stupas are gilded and the swooping layers of the roofs are tiled in shining orange and green tiles. The Thai version of the Ramayana story is illustrated around the interior walls.

The Emerald Buddha is tiny in comparison to many of the famous Buddha statues in Thailand, but it is of immense significance. Its origins are surrounded in mystery and was first recorded in Chiang Rai in the fifteenth century. Laotian invaders removed it to Luang Prabang and then Vientiane but it was recovered and returned to Thailand in the eighteenth century by Rama I, the founder of the current Chakri dynasty. It sits high up in the glass case in a huge shrine that was built specially to house it.

A strict dress code applies. The Grand Palace with The Temple of the Emerald Buddha is Thailand's most sacred site. Visitors must be properly dressed before being allowed entry to the temple. Men must wear long pants and shirts with sleeves (no tank tops. If you'e wearing sandals or flip-flops you must wear socks (in other words, no bare feet.) Women must be similarly modestly dressed. No see-through clothes, bare shoulders, etc. If you show up at the front gate improperly dressed, there is a booth near the entrance that can provide clothes to cover you up properly (a deposit is required).

There is an admission to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the Central Court of the Grand Palace (approx 250 Baht (US$7.78). Note: The admission fee also includes an admission ticket to Vimanmek Mansion that can be used within seven days of your Grand Palace visit.

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