Gland Palace
Open hours open 8.30am to 3.30pm everyday, when not being used for state functions.
Fees Admission costs 200 baht (if you are Thai, it's free) which includes entry to the Royal Thai Decorations & Coins Pavilion within the Grand Palace, and Vimanmek Palace and the Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall in nearby Dusit district.
Hilight
The Grand Palace has an area of 218,400 sq. metres and is surrounded by walls built in 1782. The length of the four walls is 1,900 metres.
The Grand Palace located in the old city of Bangkok on the banks of the Chao Phraya river is one of the must see sites of Thailand.
This complex is one of the most famous landmarks of the country and offers spectacular buildings and sacred sites.
The Grand Palace is a magnificent complex of buildings of great significance. Construction of the complex began in 1782 when King Rama I decided to move the capital of Thailand from Thonburi to an area known as Rattanakosin island on the East side of the Chao Phraya river.
The complex is surrounded by 1,900 meters long walls and houses among others Royal residences, the throne halls and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. It housed the centre of government and the Royal Court and became the centre of the Kingdom.
The Grand Palace served as the official residence of Thai Kings until the reign of King Chulalongkorn at the end of the 19th century.
Today the Palace is used for a number of Royal rituals, state banquets and other official functions. Some parts of the Palace like the Inner Court are not open to the public.
The two oldest buildings are the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall and the Phra Maha Monthian. The main function of the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall built by King Rama I is to host the lying in state ceremony for Kings, Queens and members of the Royal Family. During this ceremony a large number of people can pay their respects to the deceased. One of the most recent buildings is the Borom Phiman Mansion which was built early 20th century by King Rama V. This building is build in western style and was build as a residence for future Kings.
Grand Palace Hall / Chakri Maha Prasat. Visitors are allowed inside the spacious European style reception room. This building has not been
used for royal residence since the mysterious death of King Rama VIII (the older brother of the current King), found shot dead in his room in 1946. The reverence for the monarchy in Thailand means that, even today, this remains a completely taboo subject to talk publicly about in Thailand.
Location
Na Phra Lan Rd, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Bangkok 10200
How to go
Ordinary buses 44, 47 and 91 stop on Thaiwang road between Wat Pho and Wat Phra Kaew. Ordinary buses 1, 25, 44, 47, 82 and 91 also stop on Maharat road, on the west of Wat Phra Kaew. On nearby Sanam Luang, north of Wat Phra Kaew, ordinary buses 3, 15, 30, 32, 43, 44, 59, 64, 70, 80, 123 and 201 all stop, as well as aircon 6, 7, 12, 39 and 44. The Tha Chang river express boat stop is also very near. If you're staying in Banglamphu, it's possible to walk there via Sanam Luang. It's only about a 1 km walk, but involves crossing some large and busy roads which don't have any obvious crossing places.
Gettingto the Grand Palace is quite easy by boat. Take the Chaophraya Express Boat to the Chang Pier (ThaChang). Walk through the market around the pier and out onto the plaza flanked by old shop-houses. The long white wall of the Grand Palace is across the street on your right. You can't really miss it. The entrance is the second gate in the wall.
For More Information
Tel. 0 2224 3273 or 0 2623 5500
www.palaces.thai.net
Fees Admission costs 200 baht (if you are Thai, it's free) which includes entry to the Royal Thai Decorations & Coins Pavilion within the Grand Palace, and Vimanmek Palace and the Abhisek Dusit Throne Hall in nearby Dusit district.
Hilight
The Grand Palace has an area of 218,400 sq. metres and is surrounded by walls built in 1782. The length of the four walls is 1,900 metres.
The Grand Palace located in the old city of Bangkok on the banks of the Chao Phraya river is one of the must see sites of Thailand.
This complex is one of the most famous landmarks of the country and offers spectacular buildings and sacred sites.
The Grand Palace is a magnificent complex of buildings of great significance. Construction of the complex began in 1782 when King Rama I decided to move the capital of Thailand from Thonburi to an area known as Rattanakosin island on the East side of the Chao Phraya river.
The complex is surrounded by 1,900 meters long walls and houses among others Royal residences, the throne halls and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. It housed the centre of government and the Royal Court and became the centre of the Kingdom.
The Grand Palace served as the official residence of Thai Kings until the reign of King Chulalongkorn at the end of the 19th century.
Today the Palace is used for a number of Royal rituals, state banquets and other official functions. Some parts of the Palace like the Inner Court are not open to the public.
The two oldest buildings are the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall and the Phra Maha Monthian. The main function of the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall built by King Rama I is to host the lying in state ceremony for Kings, Queens and members of the Royal Family. During this ceremony a large number of people can pay their respects to the deceased. One of the most recent buildings is the Borom Phiman Mansion which was built early 20th century by King Rama V. This building is build in western style and was build as a residence for future Kings.
Grand Palace Hall / Chakri Maha Prasat. Visitors are allowed inside the spacious European style reception room. This building has not been
used for royal residence since the mysterious death of King Rama VIII (the older brother of the current King), found shot dead in his room in 1946. The reverence for the monarchy in Thailand means that, even today, this remains a completely taboo subject to talk publicly about in Thailand.
Location
Na Phra Lan Rd, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Bangkok 10200
How to go
Ordinary buses 44, 47 and 91 stop on Thaiwang road between Wat Pho and Wat Phra Kaew. Ordinary buses 1, 25, 44, 47, 82 and 91 also stop on Maharat road, on the west of Wat Phra Kaew. On nearby Sanam Luang, north of Wat Phra Kaew, ordinary buses 3, 15, 30, 32, 43, 44, 59, 64, 70, 80, 123 and 201 all stop, as well as aircon 6, 7, 12, 39 and 44. The Tha Chang river express boat stop is also very near. If you're staying in Banglamphu, it's possible to walk there via Sanam Luang. It's only about a 1 km walk, but involves crossing some large and busy roads which don't have any obvious crossing places.
Gettingto the Grand Palace is quite easy by boat. Take the Chaophraya Express Boat to the Chang Pier (ThaChang). Walk through the market around the pier and out onto the plaza flanked by old shop-houses. The long white wall of the Grand Palace is across the street on your right. You can't really miss it. The entrance is the second gate in the wall.
For More Information
Tel. 0 2224 3273 or 0 2623 5500
www.palaces.thai.net