The Grand Palace, Na Phra Lan road, Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok, Thailand.
I would say that the main attraction in Bangkok has to be the spectacular Grand Palace, it is a complex of buildings at the heart of Phra Nakhon district, Bangkok. 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. Construction of the palace began on 6th May 1782, by 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. This area however was already occupied by Chinese merchants who he promptly asked to relocate to the present day China Town also known as Yaowarat area.
Having been here four times now, the novelty has worn off for me. But that does not deter from the sheer beauty of this attraction. This is the Place to visit, so be prepared for many crowds, due to its popularity many first time visitors to Thailand make this their first port of call. The present King Bhumibol Adulyadej and his Queen Sirikit along with his family still use this for many events in their busy calendar.
Unfortunately because this is the main attraction in Bangkok, sadly you will find the greatest number of con men and scammers or touts. They will try everything to part you from your money, from saying the palace is closed, to saying your dress code is all wrong. Royal Thai Army soldiers, from the 1st Infantry Regiment, King's Own Bodyguard guard the Palace, simply go to the main gate and ask them. They will soon inform you whether you can enter or not. The dress code problem can be easily solved by crossing the road and hiring what you need to cover up Tattoos or bare arms etc. There are several shops catering for the hiring out of clothes to gain access to the Grand Palace. You will find the dress code for Temples is rigidly applied here. The reason they use the Grand Palace is closed con is that they hope to coerce you into buying a river trip and some other trip around Bangkok to buy items that they get paid commission on.
Visitors are requested to be dressed properly and appropriately on entering the grounds of the Grand Palace. These are the guide lines for attire within this Palace.
Shorts, mini skirts, short skirts, tight fitting trousers, as well as tights cannot be worn as outer garments.
See through shirts and blouses, as well as culottes or quarter length trousers cannot be worn.
Sleeveless shirts or vests cannot be worn as outer garments.
Sandals (without ankle or heel straps) cannot be worn.
All shirt sleeves, whether long or short, cannot be rolled up.
Sweat shirts and sweat pants, wind-cheaters cannot be worn.
Phone: 02-623-5500 Ext. 1124, 3100 Open everyday from 8.30 a.m. to 16.30 p.m. Tickets sold until 15.30 p.m.
ADMISSION FEES:
Ticket costs 400 Baht each ( for Foreign Visitors ~ free for Thai residents ) and consists of three main parts :
1) The yellow part is for the Grand Palace and is valid only on the day of purchase. ( A guide book will be given to each visitor at the entrance to the temple.)
2) The blue part is for the Vimanmek Mansion Museum ( The world's largest golden teakwood mansion ) This part of the ticket is valid for seven days from the day of purchase. The Vimanmek Mansion Museum is located at Suan Phuttan Garden on Ratchawithi Road in the Dusit District of Bangkok, and may be reached by bus number 70, departing from outside the Grand Palace, or by taxi.
(Note : Entry to Vimanmek Museum will not be permitted without the blue part of the ticket, which may also be purchased separately, on a daily basis, at the museum for 100 Baht.)
3) The white ticket is for The Royal Thai Decoration and Coin Pavilion, which is on the right hand side before the entrance to the temple.
Construction began in 1782, 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 layout of the Grand Palace follows closely to 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. Also in this Temple you will see a large model replica of the old Royal City at Ankor Wat in Cambodia.
The Galleries are some of the first exhibits you will see entering this complex of incredible buildings. These portray scenes from the Ramakien, first painted during the reign of King Rama 1. They have been restored several times over the years to maintain their condition and looks. The first scene of the story begins at the east gate opposite the Phra Wiharn Yod. The significant scenes from this story appear next to the gate leading to the Royal Palace.
The Grand Palace, Na Phra Lan road, Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok, Thailand.
I would say that the main attraction in Bangkok has to be the spectacular Grand Palace, it is a complex of buildings at the heart of Phra Nakhon district, Bangkok. 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. Construction of the palace began on 6th May 1782, by 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. This area however was already occupied by Chinese merchants who he promptly asked to relocate to the present day China Town also known as Yaowarat area.
Having been here four times now, the novelty has worn off for me. But that does not deter from the sheer beauty of this attraction. This is the Place to visit, so be prepared for many crowds, due to its popularity many first time visitors to Thailand make this their first port of call. The present King Bhumibol Adulyadej and his Queen Sirikit along with his family still use this for many events in their busy calendar.
Unfortunately because this is the main attraction in Bangkok, sadly you will find the greatest number of con men and scammers or touts. They will try everything to part you from your money, from saying the palace is closed, to saying your dress code is all wrong. Royal Thai Army soldiers, from the 1st Infantry Regiment, King's Own Bodyguard guard the Palace, simply go to the main gate and ask them. They will soon inform you whether you can enter or not. The dress code problem can be easily solved by crossing the road and hiring what you need to cover up Tattoos or bare arms etc. There are several shops catering for the hiring out of clothes to gain access to the Grand Palace. You will find the dress code for Temples is rigidly applied here. The reason they use the Grand Palace is closed con is that they hope to coerce you into buying a river trip and some other trip around Bangkok to buy items that they get paid commission on.
Visitors are requested to be dressed properly and appropriately on entering the grounds of the Grand Palace. These are the guide lines for attire within this Palace.
Shorts, mini skirts, short skirts, tight fitting trousers, as well as tights cannot be worn as outer garments.
See through shirts and blouses, as well as culottes or quarter length trousers cannot be worn.
Sleeveless shirts or vests cannot be worn as outer garments.
Sandals (without ankle or heel straps) cannot be worn.
All shirt sleeves, whether long or short, cannot be rolled up.
Sweat shirts and sweat pants, wind-cheaters cannot be worn.
Phone: 02-623-5500 Ext. 1124, 3100 Open everyday from 8.30 a.m. to 16.30 p.m. Tickets sold until 15.30 p.m.
ADMISSION FEES:
Ticket costs 400 Baht each ( for Foreign Visitors ~ free for Thai residents ) and consists of three main parts :
1) The yellow part is for the Grand Palace and is valid only on the day of purchase. ( A guide book will be given to each visitor at the entrance to the temple.)
2) The blue part is for the Vimanmek Mansion Museum ( The world's largest golden teakwood mansion ) This part of the ticket is valid for seven days from the day of purchase. The Vimanmek Mansion Museum is located at Suan Phuttan Garden on Ratchawithi Road in the Dusit District of Bangkok, and may be reached by bus number 70, departing from outside the Grand Palace, or by taxi.
(Note : Entry to Vimanmek Museum will not be permitted without the blue part of the ticket, which may also be purchased separately, on a daily basis, at the museum for 100 Baht.)
3) The white ticket is for The Royal Thai Decoration and Coin Pavilion, which is on the right hand side before the entrance to the temple.
Construction began in 1782, 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 layout of the Grand Palace follows closely to 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. Also in this Temple you will see a large model replica of the old Royal City at Ankor Wat in Cambodia.
The Galleries are some of the first exhibits you will see entering this complex of incredible buildings. These portray scenes from the Ramakien, first painted during the reign of King Rama 1. They have been restored several times over the years to maintain their condition and looks. The first scene of the story begins at the east gate opposite the Phra Wiharn Yod. The significant scenes from this story appear next to the gate leading to the Royal Palace.