Grand Palace Bangkok is a complex of beautiful royal buildings that can leave you mesmerized with their embellishments. They carry rich colors and textures on their walls, almost as if silk has been woven on them and gems used to crown them. They give an insight into the culture through the various motifs that occupy the complex.
Sharing with you some images from the grand palace that stayed as long in my memory as in my cameras.
Grand Palace Bangkok
There is the temple of Emerald Buddha – a small green statue of Buddha that had a long journey before it found a home here and became a revered place for the Buddhists. I had earlier written about Wat Pho – The temple of Reclining Buddha which is not too far from the complex.
Heritage Monuments
The imprint of time can be seen on buildings as the Grand Palace complex grew organically from the late 18th CE to the 20th CE. When I entered the complex, lush green lawns greeted us. Along with some rather western-looking buildings that soon gave way to typical Thai architecture with golden spirals on top trying to touch the sky.
The golden pagodas had people circumambulating them. The Garudas in all kinds of sizes and shapes stood like guards. The parapets ended like the hoods of a multi-faced snake. The dwarfs carried the buildings on their able shoulders.
The walls just reminded me of rich silk saris from Varanasi. While you can admire so much in these heritage structures of this royal palace complex, to me its ornate exteriors and the nuances that they have were the most imposing. There is ample use of Gold on walls and for paintings like the Scenes of Ramayana on walls.
Well Maintained
I also wondered how they kept the place so clean and maintained it so well. When all that is free-standing in the air looks so delicate and fragile.
You can spend a day looking at these buildings. You can go inside some of them, though photography is only allowed outside and not inside any of the buildings. A museum shop has a nice collection of Curios that you can buy – I say this because their collection is quite unlike what we usually see on the streets of Bangkok.
These images from the Palace in Bangkok continue to flash in my mind after many months.
Updates
A historic and iconic landmark located in Bangkok, The Grand Palace was built in 1782 during the reign of King Rama I, the founder of the Chakri Dynasty, which continues to rule Thailand to this day. The palace complex served as the official residence of the Thai kings for about 150 years. While it is no longer the primary residence of the royal family, it is still used for ceremonial and official events.
It is known for its intricate and stunning architecture, which combines traditional Thai design elements with influences from other cultures. The complex includes various buildings, halls, pavilions, and temples, each with its own unique architectural style and significance.
One of the most famous and sacred structures within the Grand Palace complex is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew). This temple houses the highly revered Emerald Buddha, a small statue carved from a single piece of jade, and is a significant religious and cultural symbol in Thailand.
You can explore its beautiful grounds, admire the intricate details of the buildings, and learn about Thailand’s rich history and culture. However, it’s important to note that it is a revered site. You are expected to dress modestly and respectfully while on the premises.
More Information
It was the official residence of the Kings of Siam (and later Thailand) since 1782. The king, his court, and his royal government were based on the grounds of the palace until 1925.
Notable buildings in the complex include the Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall, the Phra Mondop Hall, and the Sri Ratana Chedi. Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall is the main throne hall of the palace. It is where the king would conduct official ceremonies and receive guests. The Phra Mondop Hall is a library that houses a collection of Buddhist scriptures. The Sri Ratana Chedi is a golden stupa that is the tallest building in the palace complex.
I recommend you to read the following Thailand Tourist attractions on my travel blog.
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nice to read.. My photos here http://www.enidhi.net/2015/02/grand-palace-thailand-various-angles.html
Stay away from Scammers…
They might fake as the royal staff or police. Go where the crowd is going. You will discover quite a few of them loitering around the Grand Palace Bangkok troubling you about the Grand Palace Thailand dress code. Just don’t focus on them and keep walking.