The Grand Palace

When in Bangkok, Thailand, you will have a number of choices for things to see and do. As a large city, you can enjoy traditional Thai cuisine, hit a number of excellent dance clubs, join a guided tour of the city, and more. However, the one thing you definitely want to take to experience is the Grand Palace.

For 150 years, the Grand Palace was the home to Thailand’s king and his court, as well as the entire administrative seat of the government. That meant that all the state departments, the war ministry, and even the mint called the Grand Palace home. However, around the turn of the 12th century, the king moved from the palace as a full-time residence although the massive complex remained the seat of power and the heart of the city, just as it does today.

The Grand Palace is more of a huge complex that is located on Ratanakosin Island. The design is similar to other island palaces although this one is so large. For example, the Grand Palace has an outer court, which is where you enter today. During its time of glory, the outer court was the area of the palace where the governmental departments were located, the ones that the king associated directly with such as the treasury, the army, civil administration, etc. Then, there is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, an area that takes up an entire corner of the palace right next to the outer court.

Now, in the middle of the palace is the Central Court, which is where the king lived. From there, you will find halls that were used for daily business. Keep in mind when taking a tour of the Grand Palace, you will only be allowed to look at the front of the buildings located in the central court however, there are two impressive throne halls open to the public but just on the weekdays.

Then when you head behind the inner court, you will find the King’s royal consorts where all of his daughters lived. Also in the inner court is a miniature city where the women and boys under puberty lived. Today, no royalty lives in this area but unfortunately, it remains off limit to the public. When you visit the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, you will be paying the equivalent of $6 US. However, for that price, you will have admission to the Vimanmek Mansion, good for seven days. It is important to understand when visiting the Grand Palace that a strict dress code must be followed.

These are sacred places to the Thai people and therefore, men are required to wear slacks and shirts with sleeves. Closed toed shoes are preferred but sandals and flip-flops are permitted but only with socks. The women should be moderately dressed, which means no bare shoulders, see-through tops, sandals, etc. Unfortunately, if you arrive dressed inappropriately, you will not be allowed in. However, a booth is located close to the entry with proper clothing that you can borrow.


Last Updated: 10/19/2006 3:14:00 PM

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