The Grand Palace

The Grand Palace Bangkok happens to be one of the most sought after landmarks that attracts zillions of visitors year over year. The palace was constructed in the year 1782 and it has been used as the home of the Thai King, administrative seat of government and the Royal Court for about 150 years. The centre of attraction of this age old marvel in Bangkok is its beautiful architectural designs and intricate detailings. You will truly be captivated by the sheer creativity and craftsmanship of the Thai People of the bygone times. If you are planning a visit to Thailand, make sure to explore the enchanting offerings of Thailand packages that often include the mesmerizing Grand Palace as a must-visit destination.

Apart from being the home to the Royal Residence and Royal Court, this architectural marvel has also served as home to many government and administrative departments like the Thai war ministry, The treasury or Phra Viharn Yot, Civil Administration, and the most fascinating Temple of Emerald Buddha, which contains small and greatly Emerald Buddha dating back to almost 14th century. The Thai kings stopped living in the palace around the 20th century but it is still used for all ceremonial and auspicious happenings. 

The Palace Complex has got a similar style of architecture as that of the paces of Ayutthaya which happened to be the glorious capital of Siam. The palace has an outer court close to the main entrance housing many government departments in which the Thai kings are involved directly. The outer court has civil administration, treasury, and army departments. The famous temple of Emerald Buddha is also located in one of the corners of the Outer Court. 

The Central Court serves as the residence of the Thai Kings and has halls that are used for conducting state business. Out of many, only two throne halls are open for public exhibition where tourists can marvel at the exquisite work of art on the impressive structures. 

The Inner Court of The Grand Palace is meant for royal consorts and the place where the daughter lived. The inner courts are just like a small city that is entirely populated by women and boys under the puberty age. At the present times, no one lives in the inner court but it is still not open for public exhibition. 

Heading over to the Grand Palace, you will come across many contrasting styles of architecture with designs inspired from various European architectural styles. Some of the major highlights of The Grand Palace are the Boromabiman hall and the Amarinda Hall which has served as the primary residence of King Rama I and the Hall of Justice.

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• Home to some of the impressive Buddhist structures including Wat Phra Kaew which is the temple of Emerald Buddha.
• Built in Ayutthaya style of architecture and has got a lot of similarities with the palaces of Ayutthaya.
• Used to house various government departments including army, treasury, and civil administration.
• Known for its majestic architecture and intricate design elements that stand as a testimony to the rich traditional craftsmanship.
• This antique throne gets ornamented in an impressive interior decor during ceremonial occasions allowing visitors to enjoy the European style reception room.

The best time to visit The Grand Palace Bangkok would be in the morning hours as the place will be less crowded during this time and you will get a chance to get the true essence of the heritage site in a calm and peaceful surroundings.

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Tips to Visit The Grand Palace Bangkok

-While visiting The Grand Palace in Bangkok, you should make sure that you put on appropriate clothes as it is considered to be a sacred site. As per the guidelines, you will only be allowed if you are wearing proper dress code. 

-Men can put on long pants and shirts with sleeves. Women should properly cover their body with no see through apparels and bare shoulders. 

-If at all you are not wearing as per the dress code, you can get in touch with the booth located at the entrance where you will be provided with a proper dress with a security deposit. 

-You should not wear sandals and flip flops. It is mandatory to keep your feet covered. 

-You can get tickets to The Grand Palace only from 8:30 AM in the morning to 3:30 PM in the afternoon. 

-The cost of the ticket includes entry to Vimanmek Palace as well as Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall. 

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BTS & Riverboat

Travelling to Grand Palace Bangkok would be the easiest by taking BTS and Riverboat. You can take the skytrain from your location to Saphan Taksin Station (S6 Station) and take exit 2. Then you can take the Chao Phraya Express boat to Ta Chang Pier (No.9). You would need to cover the rest of the distance walking for about 10 minutes. 

Hop-on-Hop-off Riverboat

If you want minimal hassle commuting from your location to The Grand Palace, then you can take a ride on the hop on hop off tourist boat on Chao Phraya. 

By Taxi: You can also book a local taxi or a hop on hop off tuk tuk to reach The Grand Palace from your location. It would not only save your time but will also save loads of money.

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