| If there is one must-see sight that no visit to Bangkok
would be complete without, it's the dazzling, spectacular Grand Palace,
undoubtedly the city's most famous landmark. Built in 1782 - and for 150
years the home of the Thai King, the Royal court and the administrative
seat of government - the Grand Palace of Bangkok is a grand old dame indeed,
that continues to have visitors in awe with its beautiful architecture and
intricate detail, all of which is a proud salute to the creativity and craftsmanship
of Thai people. Within its walls were also the Thai war ministry, state
departments, and even the mint. Today, the complex remains the spiritual
heart of the Thai Kingdom.
Within the palace complex are several impressive buildings including
Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), which contains the small,
very famous and greatly revered Emerald Buddha that dates back to the
14th century. The robes on the Buddha are changed with the seasons by
HM The King of Thailand, and forms an important ritual in the Buddhist
calendar. Thai Kings stopped living in the palace around the turn of the
twentieth century, but the palace complex is still used to mark all kinds
of other ceremonial and auspicious happenings.
The palace complex, like the rest of Ratanakosin Island, is laid very
similar to the palaces of Ayutthaya, the glorious former capital of Siam
which was raided by the Burmese. The Outer Court, near the entrance, used
to house government departments in which the King was directly involved,
such as civil administration, the army and the treasury. The Temple of
the Emerald Buddha is located in one corner of this outer court. The Central
Court is where the residence of the King and halls used for conducting
state business were located. Only two of the throne halls are open to
the public, but you'll be able to marvel at the exquisite detail on the
facades of these impressive structures.
The Inner Court is where the King's royal consorts and daughters lived.
The Inner Court was like a small city entirely populated by women and
boys under the age of puberty. Even though no royalty currently reside
in the inner court, it is still completely closed off to the public. Despite
the proximity of the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, there's a distinct
contrast in style between the very Thai Temple of the Emerald Buddha and
the more European inspired design of the Grand Palace (the roof being
the main exception). Other highlights are Boromabiman Hall and Amarinda
Hall, the original residence of King Rama I and the Hall of Justice.
Nowadays its impressive interior is used for important ceremonial occasions
like coronations. It also contains the antique throne, used before the
Western style one presently in use. Visitors are allowed inside the spacious
European style reception room or Grand Palace Hall (Chakri Maha Prasat).
Then there's the impressive Dusit Hall, rated as perhaps the finest architectural
building in this style, and a museum that has information on the restoration
of the Grand Palace, scale models and numerous Buddha images.
Open: Daily 08:30 - 15:30
Location: Phra Nakorn |
