The Emerald Buddha Temple or Wat Phra Kaeo

Grand Palace

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Thai name วัดพระแก้วและพระบรมมหาราชวัง

This is the most famous place that is a must for all tourists. It is a large compound located near Sanam Luang in the very heart of Bangkok. The Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha were built after King Rama I ascended the throne as the founder of the Chakri Dynasty on 6 April 1782 and have undergone several repairs and renovations.

The Grand Palace consists of several buildings with different styles of architecture. Wat Phra Kaeo is renowned as the most beautiful and important Buddhist temple in Thailand. It houses Phra Kaeo Morakot (the Emerald Buddha), the most highly revered Buddha image carved from a single block of fine jade.

Scattered in the temple grounds are numerous interesting sculptures of artistic value, including the fanciful animals in mythology, the fierce-looking giants standing guard at the gates, the six pairs of Cambodian-style bronze lions and the stone figures from China.

On the inside walls of the temple's compound, there are extensive mural paintings depicting scenes from the famous epic "Ramayana". It is the longest wall painting in the world as well as one of the Unseen Bangkoks. A distinctive characteristic of this temple is that there are no monks living in it like other temples.

Among the four groups of palaces, the Chakri Maha Prasat is the largest and most famous. Erected by King Rama V in 1882 as his own residence, the 3-storey building is a mixture of Thai and Western architecture. The top part is pure Thai with tapering spires and tiered sloping roofs, and the lower parts, designed by a British architect, are in the Imperial Victorian style. Boromphiman Hall This French-inspired structure was built by King Rama V for Crown Prince Vajiravudh as his residence. It is now used to accommodate visiting foreign heads of state.

Proper Dress in the Grand Palace for Visitors

Visitors are requested to be dressed properly and appropriately upon entering the ground of the Grand Palace. Thus the following dress code (applicable to both ladies and gentlemen) will be strictly enforced:

Shorts, mini-skirts, short skirts, tight fitting trousers, as well as tights can not be worn as outer garments.
See-through shirts and blouses, as well as culottes or quarter length trousers can not be worn.
Sleeveless shirts or vests can not be worn as outer garments.
All shirt sleeves, whether long or short, can not be rolled up.
Sweat shirts and sweat pants, wind-cheaters, pajamas and fisherman trousers can not be worn.
Sandles (without ankle or heel straps) can not be worn.

The Emerald Buddha Temple or Wat Phra Kaeo

Grand Palace & Temple of the Emerald Buddha or Wat Phra Kaeo

Thai name วัดพระแก้วและพระบรมมหาราชวัง

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