The Grand Palace, which reads Pra Borom Maha Ratcha Wang in Thai, is recognised as one of Thailand’s most sacred royal and religious venues. Wat Phra Kaew, or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is another key site within the compound of the Grand Palace for the temple was built with the command of King Rama I. Specially classified as the only temple in Thailand without living quarters of Budddhist monks, Wat Phra Kaew is one of a kind and mainly serving religious ceremonies of Thai monarch.

Interestingly featuring the fusion of traditional Thai architecture and the 19-th century European style, the Grand Palace is flawless in terms of unique beauty, while Wat Phra Kaew boasts elaborate details of traditional architecture and decorative arts rendered by most prominent artists of early Rattanakosin era. Proven with 8 million visitors each year, the Grand Palace is truly a captivating site that travellers must not miss when visiting Bangkok.

With long history dating back to the herald of Rattanasokin era under the reign of Chakri Dynasty, the construction of the Grand Palace was known to have begun in 1782 with the order of King Rama I to use as the formal residence of the monarch, as well as the administrative offices, which involved royal duties and functions.

With an approximate land area of 60 acres, the Grand Palace consists of sophisticated plan of buildings, which serve different purposes and royal affairs. Besides Wat Phra Kaew, the Grand Palace comprises three main parts, including The Outer Court, The Middle Court and The Inner Court. Areas that are open to public include The Outer Court and The Middle Court.

The Outer Court covers the area from Visetchaisri Gate to the Phimanchaisri Gate. This area includes several government offices, the royal guard office, the headquarters of the Grand Palace, the Office of His Majesty’s Principal Private Secretary and the Bureau of the Royal Household. The entrance to Wat Phra Kaew is located in this area.  The Middle Court consists of several prasats or Phra Thinang, which are the Phra Maha Monthien Buildings, Phra Maha Prasat Buildings and Phra Thinang Chakri Maha Prasat Buidings.

Phra Maha Monthien is geographically the heart of the Grand Palace, which also served as the dwelling of kings in early Rattanakosin era. There are multiple throne halls within the Phra Maha Monthien, which mainly include Phra Thinang Amarin Winitchai, which welcomed foreign ambassadors in bygone days; Phra Thinang Phaisan Taksin, which was not only the dwelling of King Rama I, but later also transformed to use for coronation ceremonies for Chakri Dynasty kings; Phra Thinang Chakraphat Phiman, which was used by kings as their sleeping chambers; Phra Thinang Dusidaphirom, which features the elephant-mounting platform for the arriving and departing of kings.

Phra Thinang Chakri Maha Prasat is a stunning complex of throne halls with the influence of European architects who supervised the construction in the era of King Rama V, who used the prasats to imply the resistance against the intensifying Westernisation.  Apart from Phra Thinang Chakri Maha Prasat group which includes reception rooms, thrones, galleries, libraries and the assemblage of ashes of previous kings, the prasats consists the following: Phra Thinang Moon Satharn Borom Ard, which was where King Ram V was born; Phra Thinang Sommuthi Thevaraj Uppabat, which comprises council and state rooms; Phra Thinang Borom Ratchasathit Mahoran, which serves functions and banquets.

Phra Maha Prasat was built in the era of King Rama I for ceremonial and residential uses. Phra Maha Prasat includes the sacred Phra Thinang Dusit Maha Prasat, which serves the royal funeral and official mourning of members of the royal family; Phra Thinang Phiman Rattaya, which was once the regal apartment; Phra Thinang Aphorn Phimok Prasat, which was used by King Rama IV to change his regalia before entering the prasat; Phra Thinang Rachakaranya Sapha, which is a council chamber; the Neo-renaissance Phra Thinang Boromphiman, which currently hospitalises the stay of the visiting Head of States;  Phra Thinang Mahisorn Prasat, which commemorates King II and houses Buddha images;  the vacant Phra Thinang Siwalai Maha Prasat, which was once used as the royal chapel; Phra Thinang Sitalaphirom, which was once a resting pavilion of King Rama VI; Phra Buddha Rattanasathan, which is an ordination hall.

Apart from the aforementioned buildings, there are other premises, including minor thrones, pavilions, ordination hall and other edifices that serve religious and court errands. Unfortunately, The Inner Court is not available for public viewing. The compound was once inhabited by kings, queens and consorts.

Mythical animals are known as another unique adornment of the Grand Palace. These include garudas and animals of Himavanta Forest, such as Kinara (half human-half bird), Asura Vayupak (the half demon-half bird), Deva Nora Singha (half human-half singha), Asura Paksi (half demon-half bird), Deva Paksi (half human-half bird), Singha Bhanorn (half singha-half monkey) and Apsarasi (half human-half deer).

The Emerald Buddha (or Phra Kaew Morakot in English), is housed at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha or Wat Phra Kaew. Originally known as being discovered within a wrecked chedi at the temple of the same name, Wat Phra Kaew in Chiang Rai, the Emerald Buddha was taken to Lampang, Chiang Mai, Luang Prabang and Vientiane, before being eventually moved to the present location. Featuring the Buddha figure carved from semi-precious stone (likely jade), the Buddha image was defined to belong to the 15^th century with distinct Chiang Saen style. Interestingly, there is a tradition that the King of Thailand will be changing the golden costume of the Emerald Buddha as season changes.

In addition, The Grand Palace houses the Museum of The Emerald Buddha Temple. Not only this 160-year European building is worth seeing as it was once the Royal Mint, but the artifacts inside are invaluable and rare to find. Interesting objects range from ancient cannons, antique Buddha images, statues, royal elephant skeletons, regal seatings and many more.

Tips and Advices

If you are visiting The Grand Palace, all that matter is appropriate attire and composed gestures. Sleeveless, tank top, vest, tube, crop top, see-through shirt or blouse is prohibited, as well as jeans with holes, mini skirt, short pants and tights. Mind the wearing of hat, sunglasses, umbrella, and the use of camera where required. Do not make loud noises or drink water within prasats. Take off shoes when asked.

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It is broadly known for housing one of the largest Buddha images ever built as well as housing the largest collection of Buddha images in Thailand and is considered the first and earliest center for public education in Thailand.

Phra Vihara of the Reclining Buddha

46 meters long and 15 meters high, the Reclining Buddha illustrates the passing of the Buddha into Nirvana and the end of reincarnations. The feet, which are 4,5 meters long and 3 meters high, are ornated by mother-of-pearl inlays displaying 108 lakshana (qualities) of the Buddha.

Phra Maha Chedi Si Rajakarn

It is a group of four pagodas, each 42 meters high, decorated with colorful mosaics. Each one represents the reign of one King:

• Phra Maha Chedi Sri Sanpetdayarn, featuring green tiles, for King Rama I
• Phra Maha Chedi Dilok Dhammakaroknitarn, featuring, white tiles, for King Rama II
• Phra Maha Chedi Muni Batborikharn, featuring yellow tiles, for King Rama III
• The last one, featuring blue tiles, for King Rama IV

Phra Ubosot

It is the main Assembly Hall for performing monastic rituals and was built by King Rama I in Ayuthaya style. It was later enlarged during the reign of King Rama III. The main image of Budha is the Phra Buddha Theva Patimakorn, seated Buddha over a three-tiered pedestal. Some ashes of King Rama I are kept under the pedestal.

Phra Rabieng

These are the double cloisters extending between the four chapels. The inner one contains 150 images of Buddha, while the outer one has over 244 images. They were brought to Wat Pho during the reign of King Rama I from Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, two of the Northern Provinces of Thailand (originally over 1’300 were brought, but only about 400 were selected and kept in Wat Pho). Today all of these images are covered with gold leaves.

Thai Traditional Medical School

Back in the days, there were 2 types of doctors: Royal Doctors and Local ones. During King Rama III reign the old thai medical tradition was in danger of extinction, so the King appointed a new Royal Doctor: Phraya Bamroer Rajaphat. He was designated to engrave all the Thai medical science knowledge around two cloisters: Phra Maha Chedis and Sala Rai.

Furthermore in 1856 King Rama V entrusted his Royal Doctors to translate some medical texts from Pali-Sanskrit into Thai and indexing them as “Medical Handbook – Royal Edition”.

In 1955 it officially became the first Thai Traditional Medical School, approved by the Thai Ministry of Education, offering four basic courses:

• Thai Pharmacy
• Thai Medical Practice
• Thai Midwifery
• Thai Massage

Tips for visitors

Please note that as every other sacred/religious place it is required for visitors to dress accordingly. No skin above the knee can be exposed (long trousers for males, trousers or long skirt for females) nor can the shoulders (no singlets allowed) and in general an appropriate clothing style and behaviour is mandatory.

Before entering any of the religious building you are required to take off your shoes.

It is also prohibited for women to have physical contact with monks.

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It was built in 1956 to fight the bad karma around the construction of a new hotel, the Erawan Hotel, which was facing incidents from injured workers to the sinking of a marble carrying ship. After consultation with a Brahmin priest, it was determined that the place needed a statue of Lord Brahma: Erawan (the name of the former hotel) is the elephant escort of Indra in Hindu mithology and so the blessing from the God of Creation was sought. After its construction no more accidents occurred.

The bustling shrine receives countless followers daily, many of whom ask for their wishes to come true by offering fruits, burning candles and incense sticks. After the wish is granted they come back and arrange a Menora (Lakhon chatri) dance, whereas others offer carved wooden elephants in return.

The shrine is located in central Bangkok and is easily reachable with public transport too.

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The central prang (Khmer-style tower) is considered to be the world’s tallest with the approximate height of 86m and is decorated  with floral mosaics made from broken porcelain, which was used as ballast by Chinese ships docked in Bangkok. Its construction began during the first half of the 19th century by King Rama II and was later completed by King Rama III.

Surrounded by four smaller prangs, the central prang symbolizes Mount Meru of Hindu and Buddhist cosmology. It is believed that worshipping it will bring prosperity and eternal happiness and it is done by walking around the prang three time in a clockwise direction, holding three jock sticks and a pair of candles, while contemplating the Buddhist doctrine of the Four Noble Truths of the enlightened Buddha: Dukkha (suffering), Samudaya (end of suffering), Nirodha (arising of suffering) and Magga (way leading to the end of suffering).

The temple is located next to the Royal Thai Navy headquarters, on the Chao Phraya river opposite to Wat Pho. Cross river ferries run every couple of minutes for just 3 THB.

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