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Probably the most standard sights in Thailand is the Grand Palace Bangkok. It’s the official residence of the Thai Royal Household and is a large advanced stuffed with golden temples, jewel-encrusted shrines, and beautiful structure.
If it’s your first time visiting the town, you will want to be sure to make a cease right here.
However the Grand Palace in Bangkok will not be for everybody. It’s busy and scorching, and in comparison with different sights in Bangkok, fairly costly for foreigners.
So is the Grand Palace price it and what’s there to see? On this full information to the Grand Palace, we’ll be sharing every part it’s worthwhile to find out about visiting this cultural gem in Bangkok.
Is the Grand Palace price it Bangkok?
If it’s your first time in Bangkok, the Grand Palace is certainly price visiting. The advanced is among the oldest within the metropolis, having been in-built 1782, making it one of the crucial necessary historic sights in Bangkok. It’s additionally the official residence of the Thai Royal Household.
The advanced has a number of temples, museums, and beautiful buildings to witness, together with the Wat Phra Kaeo or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, so you may have tons to see and discover.
It’s not less than a half-day exercise, so undoubtedly price spending a while right here.
Is the Grand Palace in Bangkok free?
For Thai folks, it’s free admission, however for vacationers, you need to pay a payment in your tickets.
As of November 2022, the worth to enter the Grand Palace was 500 baht for foreigners (round $14 USD).
The doorway charges embrace Wat Phra Kaew, The Royal Thai Decorations and Cash Pavilion, and the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textile.
Issues to See within the Grand Palace
The Grand Palace advanced is located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River and is surrounded by 4 partitions with a mixed space of 218,400 sq. meters.
It’s divided into 4 primary courts, separated by quite a few partitions and gates: the Outer Court docket, the Center Court docket, the Interior Court docket, and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
Contained in the advanced, you may have a number of buildings, shrines, and temples to see. The Dusit Maha Prasat Palace was used as an viewers corridor and is positioned adjoining to The Piman Rattaya Throne Corridor.
Behind this, is the Buddha Ratanasathan, a small museum within the advanced with beautiful artworks and relics.
On the opposite facet of the advanced you may have the Wat Phra Kaew Museum and naturally the Wat Phra Kaew, or Temple of the Emerald Buddha in English.
Behind the Wat Phra Kaew is the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles.
High tip: when you’re within the space, stroll throughout the street to go to Wat Pho, or the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. That is one in every of Bangkok’s different prime sights.
Our Expertise of The Grand Palace in Bangkok
Tim, our native information, was explaining to us on the trip over that the Grand Palace is on the prime of the record for first-time guests to Bangkok.
It’s true, and I had already recognized and skilled this by myself first go to ten years in the past. However right now was completely different. We had been repeat guests, and never travelling as a pair, however as dad and mom with Kalyra and Savannah on their first go to to Bangkok.
The second you arrive outdoors the palace partitions and enter the gates you’re rapidly struck by the sheer dimension and recognition of what’s Thailand’s most sacred website and sophisticated of temples, throne halls, and Authorities residences.
As we enter the advanced it’s crowded, it’s scorching, and tour teams are justling left and proper excited to enter the official royal residences of the Kings of Thailand since development started beneath King Rama Ι manner again in 1782 (apart from King Rama V who selected to reside elsewhere within the metropolis.
It was thought that King Rama I moved the royal courtroom from Thonburi on the West to the east of Bangkok for defense, which explains the fort-like partitions across the advanced.
It took us about 5 seconds to be reminded that this is among the hottest vacationer sights in Thailand and can be a REAL introduction to Thai historical past and life for our children.
As we wandered the advanced jostling with what appeared like the entire inhabitants of Bangkok attempting to take pictures, Kalyra saved asking:
When do I get to fulfill the Buddha?
“Quickly darling. Let’s simply take our time and take all of it in. I do know it’s scorching and crowded however please be affected person and keep near Mummy and Daddy.”
Kalyra is nice traveller, and has been lucky to expertise many issues in her 5 years, however typically struggles in huge crowds and was simply holding it togethor. In the meantime, miss Savannah was taking all of it in from the consolation of her stroller.
In every single place you flip, in each courtyard and at each bend, the fantastic thing about the place amazes and takes your breath away. I bear in mind being very impressed on that first go to and this second go to was no much less mesmirizing.
I even captured this shot of a monk wanting mesmirized.
The statues and buildings are enormous!
Kalyra is simply dwarfed by this entry manner
Together with the sheer dimension comes the small print and craftmanship
We’d been exploring the advanced for possibly an hour or so and the query of “when do I get to see the Buddha” continued and Kalyra turned more and more restlessless, which was completely comprehensible given the attempting situations.
Quickly it got here time to witness the worshipers lighting candles and sticks of incense in a ritual which they increase to their head whereas bowing.
Drained and unbiased Kalyra was having not one of the assist advised by Mummy and Daddy and completely misplaced it when it was defined that NO she couldn’t perform this ritual by herself and she or he wanted to step apart and respect the locals.
Nothing like having your 5 yr previous lose it on the most sacred temple in Thailand!
However all of us regained our composure, after a 5 minute day trip, and carried on with the remainder of the proceedings, together with a go to with the Buddha.
Lesson realized!
On the finish of the day we had an unbelievable time visiting the Grand Palace as a household.
Moreover the expertise of displaying our children this necessary and sacred place for Thai folks, the locals completely adored each Kalyra and Savannah (will need to have been the blonde hair blue eyed novelty) and couldn’t cease taking photographs with us.
HOT TIP: When you’re a travelling household, and you’ve got simply arrived in a brand new nation late the earlier evening after an extended flight, make the primary day a free day!
Don’t plan any actions. Enable your youngsters to regulate to the time zone and the atmosphere. Don’t be like us and drag them to a scorching and crowded atmosphere.
Learn extra about our journey with youngsters suggestions right here.
Attending to The Grand Palace
The simplest and most pleasurable route is to take the BTS Skytrain to “Saphan Taksin” Station.
From right here take a Chao Phraya River Specific boat to Tha Chang Wang Luang Pier. It’s a brief stroll from the pier to the doorway.
Alternatively, you may take the MRT to Sam Yot Station and stroll for about 15-20 minutes.
Another choice is to take a taxi all the best way out of your origin. Be certain that the motive force activates the meter — that is the legislation in Bangkok however they typically don’t do that after which cost no matter they like on the finish.
Use Bolt or Seize for a less expensive charge and to agree on a worth beforehand.
Plan forward as visitors in Bangkok will be horrendous.
What’s the Costume Code for the Grand Palace?
Although the royal palace will not be a temple, it’s handled as such. A strict costume code nonetheless applies, particularly for girls.
- Males should put on lengthy pants and shirts with sleeves (no tank tops, vests, or sleeveless shirts. When you’re carrying sandals or flip-flops it’s essential to put on socks (in different phrases, no naked toes.)
- Ladies should be equally modestly dressed. No see-through garments, or tight-clinking garments. Be sure to have your knees and shoulders coated.
When you present up improperly dressed there’s a sales space close to the doorway that may present garments and wraparounds to cowl you up correctly (for a deposit).
And when you assume they’re relaxed about this, assume once more. When you’re carrying an extended skirt that covers your knees but it surely has a slit up one facet, they may tie it collectively for you with an elastic band.
It is a rule that’s at all times enforced, so remember to costume politely or convey a sarong. Higher but, simply put on trousers.
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Earlier than You Go
The Grand Palace is a must-see attraction in Bangkok for any first-time customer. The sheer dimension, class, craftsmanship, and complex element that goes into the structure is unbelievable to see.
Our information Tim says “Each customer to Bangkok ought to see the Grand Palace.” And we agree.
It’s crowded, it’s scorching, and your youthful youngsters could briefly lose it, but it surely’s utterly price it.
No go to to Bangkok can be full with out visiting the town’s most well-known landmark.
Disclaimer: Our journey to Thailand is hosted by Tourism Thailand, however all of the ideas, concepts, and opinions on this information are our personal.
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Supply: Breaking Travel News