The Grand Palace (พระบรมมหาราชวัง)
Growing up as a child, my image of a palace is a fortress where everything is royal and regal. And when I saw the Grand Palace in Bangkok Thailand, it certainly confirmed my wild imagination. I couldn’t help myself but be astonished by its splendid structure from its golden walls to its shimmering textures. The place is truly a perfect picture of royalty and magnificence. No doubt, this has made Thailand a majestic country to explore.
The Grand Palace is located at the heart of Bangkok (Thailand). This multifaceted ground is consisting of not only royal residence and throne halls, but also a number of government offices. It covers an area of 218,000 square meters and surrounded by four walls, 1900 meters in length. Construction of the palace began on 1782, at 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.
Map of the Grand Palace
(photo grabbed from Wikipedia)
The Grand Palace is situated on the banks of the Chao Phraya River at the heart of the Rattanakosin Island, today in the Phra Nakhon District. It is bordered by Sanam Luang and Na Phra Lan Road to the north, Maharaj Road to the west, Sanamchai Road to the east and Thai Wang Road to the south.
For an entrance fee of 500 Thai Baht, you'll get the chance to visit all the temples, monastery and museums inside the Grand Palace Grounds. The vicinity is open from 9:30 AM to 3:15 PM everyday.
The Royal Monastery of the Emerald Buddha
North of the royal residence and linked by a connecting gateway lies the Royal Monastery of the Emerald Buddha, one of the most venerated sites in Thailand where people convene to pay respect to the Lord Buddha and His Teachings. The Emerald Buddha is enshrined on a golden traditional Thai-style throne made of gilded-carved wood, known as a Busabok, in the ordination hall of the royal monastery. The sacred image is clad with one of the three seasonal costumes (summer, rainy and winter). The costumes are changed three times a year in a ceremony presided over by His Majesty the king.
The Upper Terrace
Four main monuments are found on this terrace: a reliquiry in the shape of a golden chedi; the Mondop, a repository for Buddhist sacred scriptures inscribed on palm leaves, contained within a beautiful mother-of-pearl inlaid cabinet; a miniature Angkor Wat crafted by the order of King Mongkut (Rama IV); and the Royal Pantheon in which statues of past sovereigns of the ruling Chakri dynasty are enshrined.
The Chakri Maha Prasat
The Chakri Maha Prasat, built by King Chulalongkorn (King Rama V), was completed in 1882, the same year as the centenary celebration of Bangkok. Its walls are decorated with four canvasses depicting diplomatic receptions of the past. On the east wall is a painting of King Mongkut's reception of the British envoy, Sir James Bowring. On the right wall is a depiction of the reception by Queen Victoria of King Mongkut's (King Rama IV) ambassador at Buckingham Palace.
The Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall
The hall is furnished by an exquisite mother-of-pearl inlaid throne surmounted by a nine-tiered white canopy, a symbol of a duly crowned king. The hall has four wings and is surmounted by a four-tiered roof which is topped by a seven-tiered spire.
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I did enjoy my Grand Palace Tour and it was for sure one of my happy life adventures!
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Indeed, the "gold-ness" of the palace makes it majestic! Very informative and useful for those who are reading this for research. Good job my friend!
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