Grand Palace

10 BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN BANGKOK

Name

Grand Palace

Date

1782

King

Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (Rama I)

Location

Rattanakosin area, Bangkok

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.

History of the Grand Palace

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 center of government and the Royal Court and became the center of the Kingdom.

The Grand Palace Complex

Residence of Thai Kings
The Grand Palace served as the official residence of Thai Kings until the reign of King Chulalongkorn at the end of the 19^th 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 46 meter long gold plated Reclining Buddha image at the Wat Pho in Bangkok

Grand Palace Bangkok - The Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall

Bangkok Temples & Grand Palace Tour

Grand Palace
Golden Buddha Temple - Wat Traimit
Reclining Buddha Temple - Wat Pho
Temple of the Golden Mount - Wat Saket
Private Tour with hotel pick up and lunch
Professional guide and driver
Duration about 8 hours

Buy from Viator

Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall & Borom Phiman Mansion

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 20^th century by King Rama V. This building is build in western style and was build as a residence for future Kings.

A golden chedi & the Emerald Buddha temple

The Temple of the Emerald Buddha

The Wat Phra Kaew or “Temple of the Emerald Buddha” on the grounds of the Grand Palace is one of Thailand’s most sacred places. The small Buddha image is believed to be more than 2000 years old and was created in India. Since then it was moved a number of times and in 1434 it was re-discovered in a temple in Chiang Rai in Northern Thailand.

Although people back then believed the Buddha to be made from emerald, it is actually made from green jade. With the changing of the seasons (summer, rainy season and cool season), the robes of the Emerald Buddha are changed by HM the King of Thailand.

The walls of the Hall are covered with mural paintings depicting a number of events in the Life of the Lord Buddha, including birth, death and Enlightenment.

The Emerald Buddha

The surrounding galleries murals

The Royal Monastery is surrounded by walls covered with beautiful and very detailed paintings of the Ramakien, the Thai version of the Indian epic Ramayana. Large parts of the Ramakien were written by King Rama I and King Rama II.

The paintings tell scenes about the battle between good and evil. They were first created when the Palace was built in the 18^th century and since then restored several times.

Colorful murals in the Grand Palace depicting the Ramakien story

A battle scene from the Ramakien epic depicted in a mural

Ramakien murals

Colorful murals on the walls surrounding the Emerald Buddha temple
Over 2 kilometers of murals
Depicting the Ramakien epic

GET DETAILS

Dress code

Since this is a sacred place, please follow the dress code. This means no short pants, no shirts without sleeves, no bare feet. As in any temple in Thailand, please take off your shoes. Near the entrance of the Palace complex is a booth where proper clothes are provided if needed.

Although photo and video equipment is allowed in most of the Grand Palace, inside the Wat Phra Kaew temple they are not.

A Yaksha standing guard

Grand Palace Bangkok brochure

On entering the Grand Palace you will receive a brochure with details about the complex including a map. However, the layout of the complex is such that the route through is pretty much fixed.

See the Grand Palace from the river

A very relaxed and comfortable way to see the Grand Palace is from the river. Take an evening dinner cruise and see the beautifully illuminated palace while enjoying dinner.

Chao Phraya hop on hop off boat floating past the Grand Palace

Get to the Grand Palace by Chao Phraya Hop On Hop Off Tourist Boat

Get around the river in a relaxed way
Check piers, route, tickets & timetable

GET DETAILS

Also visit the Wat Pho & Wat Arun

A visit to the Grand Palace is very easily combined with two other Bangkok highlights. Adjoining the Palace is the Wat Pho, the temple of the Reclining Buddha.

Right across from Wat Pho on the other side of the Chao Phraya river stands the large Wat Arun, also known as “The temple of Dawn”.

Location

The Grand Palace is located in the old Rattanakosin area of Bangkok on the East bank of the Chao Phraya river. It is right next to the Wat Pho, the temple of the 46 meter reclining Buddha.

Wat Pho

Temple of the 46 meter gold plated Reclining Buddha
Right next to the Grand Palace

GET DETAILS

The address is: Thanon Na Phra Lan, Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok.

How to get there

You can get there by river boat, MRT Subway, taxi or tuk tuk.
There is no Sky Train station in the area.

River boat
The easiest and most fun way to get there is by river boat.

If you plan to visit several sites on the river, get a Chao Phraya Tourist Boat day pass. With one ticket you can get on an off the boat as many times as you want.

Otherwise use the Chao Phraya express boat. Take an orange flag boat and get off at either Tha Tien pier on the Southern end of the Palace complex or at Tha Chang pier on the Northern end.

Map of the Chao Phraya river express boat lines

An orange boat of the Chao Phraya river express boat service

Get to the Grand Palace by Chao Phraya River Express Boat

Sightseeing around the river
Check five express boat lines, route map & fares

GET DETAILS

MRT Subway
MRT Subway station Sanam Chai which opened July 2019 is in walking distance from the Grand Palace. Exit the train station on Sanam Chai Road and walk North for a little over one kilometer.

Tuk tuk or taxi
If you are not near a river pier or an MRT station, take a tuk tuk or a metered taxi.

Getting around Bangkok: BTS Sky Train, river boat, MRT Subway, Taxi, Tuk Tuk

Opening hours

Opening hours are daily from 8:30 am until 4:30 pm, last entry at 3:30 pm.
The Palace is very rarely closed, when it is used for official state functions.

Entrance fees

Entrance fee is 500 Thai Baht per person, same price for adults and children.
If you show up in short pants or sleeveless shirts, clothing can be rented at the entrance at 200 Thai Baht per person.