It was a sunny Sunday morning and I stepped my
feet on The Grand Palace in my 4th visit to Thailand, the Land of Smiles. Read
lots about the phenomenal palace and The Royal Monastery of the Emerald Buddha,
but rarely had the time to explore the palace in my previous visits. Now the
time had come and I was eager to find out what the royal compound has to offer.
This time it would be a historical trip rather than a shopping spree.
The Grand Palace complex was established in 1782 and it houses not only the
royal residence and throne halls, but also a number of government offices as
well as the renowned Temple of the Emerald Buddha. It covers an area of 218,000
square meters and is surrounded by 4 walls. 1,900 meters in length.
The royal compound is grouped into a few sections, i.e. The Royal Monastery of
The Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew), The Upper Terrace, Subsidiary Buildings,
The Galleries, The Phra Maha Montian Group, The Chakri Group, The Dusit Group
and The Borom Phiman Mansion.
(Source: The Grand Palace Guidebook)
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| Suvarnabhumi Airport |
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| Ticket Booth |
THB 350 for combined entry to The Grand Palace
and The Vimanmek Mansion Museum. The entrance ticket to The Grand Palace is
valid for one visit on the purchased date only. As for The Vimanmek Mansion,
it's valid within 7 days after purchased date.
The Grand Palace visiting hours: 08.30 - 15.30
The Vimanmek Mansion visiting hours: 09.30 - 16.00
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| The Grand Palace |
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| Road to the Entrance Gate |
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A strict dress code applies for visitors to
the palace. Ladies must cover their upper arms and legs down to the thigh,
while men must wear long trousers and at least a T-shirt. Sarongs can be
borrowed for free at the entrance, but you must leave a deposit.
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| The Entrance |
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| The Upper Terrace |
The compound was packed with travelers.
4 main monuments found on this terrace are Phra Siratana Chedi, Phra Mondop,
Prasat Phra Dhepbidorn (The Royal Pantheon), and a miniature of Angkor Wat
crafted by the order of King Mongkut (Rama IV). Scattered around the terrace
are the statues of elephants and mythical beings.
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| Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of The Emerald Buddha) | | | | | |
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| Prasat Phra Dhep Bidorn |
A close look to The Royal Pantheon in which
statues of past sovereigns of the ruling Chakri dynasty are enshrined.
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| Prasat Phra Dhep Bidorn | | |
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| Mythical Being |
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| Mythical Being | |
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| Phra Mondop (The Royal Library) |
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A repository for Buddhist sacred scriptures
inscribed on palm leaves, contained within a beautiful mother-of-pearl inlaid
cabinet. At the four corners of the Phra Mondop are stone Buddhas carved in the
nineth century Javanese style.
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| Murals |
The murals was refurbished with golden paints
prior to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit's 77th birthday on August 12. Too bad I
missed the celebration, my visit was 10 days prior the event.
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| Toilet |
Ladies Restroom. Separate entrance to
accommodate the disabled.
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| Borom Phiman Mansion |
Built in western style in 1903 by King Rama V
for the Heir Apparent, the future King Rama VI, this mansion was also used at
various occasions as a royal residence by King Rama VIII and the present King
Rama IX. At present the mansion serves as the Royal Guest House for visiting
Head of State and guests of Their Majesties.
The picture was taken behind closed gates guarded by security guards.
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| Rectangular-shaped Trees |
The Thais are very gifted when comes to the
art of gardening. We have rectangular-shaped trees...
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| The Royal Chitralada Projects |
Mango juice, good to ease my thirst in the hot
Sunday afternoon, also to support The Royal Chitralada Projects initiated by
King Rama IX in 1961 to solve the problems and struggles especially in
agriculture occupations that are respected as the backbone of the country.
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| Mango Juice |
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| Security Guards |
Security
guards marched to change guard at the Borom Phiman Mansion outer compound.
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| Security Guards |
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| Round-shaped Trees |
...and round-shaped trees...
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| The Chakri Group |
The Chakri Maha Prasat Hall was built by King
Rama V and was completed in 1882. Only the reception areas are now used. The
Chakri Group consists of The Central Throne Hall and the two wings. The Central
Throne Hall now serves many purposes, most notably for the reception of foreign
ambassadors on the occasion of the presentation of their credentials and for
the state banquets in honor of visiting Heads of State. The crystal decorations
in the hall are mostly gifts from foreign monarchs presented to King Rama V.
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| The Chakri Maha Prasat Hall Guard |
Another security guard... the real one...
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| The Chakri Maha Prasat Hall Statue |
Yet another guard... the fake one. Don't I
love them all ^o^
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| The Chakri Maha Prasat Hall |
...and the bird-shaped tree...
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| The Wat Phra Kaeo Museum |
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| The Wat Phra Kaeo Museum |
...and triangle-shaped tree.
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