Thailand

Bangkok / The Grand Palace

This city landmark should be the first place on any visitor's itinerary. It is a huge compound with entrance on Na Phra Lan Road near Sanam Luang, surrounded by high white walls and occupying an area of about 260 hectares (2.6sqkm, 1sqmi). The palace consists of several buildings with highly decorated architectural details. The Royal Chapel, Wat Phra Kaeo, which is in the same compound, houses the Emerald Buddha, the most sacred Buddha image in Thailand. Photography is forbidden inside the building housing the Emerald Buddha.

The complex is open daily 8:30-12:00 and 13:00-15:30. Admission fee is 100 Baht (including tickets to Wiman Mek Palace and the Coin Pavilion). Proper dress (modest attire) is requested - no shorts, sleeveless shirts or shower thongs.

Building of the Grand or Royal Palace was begun after Bangkok was elevated to be the national capital (1782) . The first part was completed for the coronation of King Rama I.

The plan of the palace followed the Ayutthaya sample: the river forms a moat on one side; the site of the temple of the Emerald Buddha corresponds to the placement of Wat Phra Si Sanphet in the old royal palace at Ayutthaya. Many of the main buildings also resemble those that where destroyed in Ayutthaya after the Burmese invasion.

The compound houses a number of halls, residences and other buildings which were built in the time of King Rama I (reigned 1782-1809). Some structures were altered, renovated, enlarged, or razed to make way for new buildings by later monarches. The palace compound can be sub-divided into four complexes: the First Halls group, the Dusit Maha Prasat group, the Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall complex and the Boromphiman Hall complex.