Perhaps because the capital of Thailand had always been a place of passage for us, the Grand Palace of Bangkok or Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang is one of those places to see in Bangkok that took us too many years to go to; however, today we believe that it is an essential visit to this city if you are going to travel to Thailand.
The architecture and design of the grounds, which in themselves are a good reason to visit the palace, are not the only ones by which we consider it necessary, but rather the fact that there you can understand (or at least feel) the love and fervor that Thais feel for their king, at least for Bhumibol Adulyadej, the late father of the current monarch.
A love that has been even more in the air throughout the year following his death, a time during which people, institutions and every corner of the country mourned, spending months decorated with black and white ribbons as a sign of mourning and respect.
Since October 2016, the palace has been packed with hundreds of Thais on weekends, forming an oil slick to remember the former monarch and pray for his soul.
If you want to visit it on your own, you will only have to take a taxi or a tuk-tuk that will take you to the entrance, but if you fancy a guided tour of the Grand Palace in Bangkok, we leave you this link to book it in advance.
The vast 22-hectare complex that comprises the Grand Palace sits on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, and you know you’re approaching the place by the hustle and bustle of its surroundings. It was built in 1782, when King Rama I decided to move the capital to Bangkok, and was the residence of the kings of Siam until 1925. Although the place is still used for events and ceremonies, the current king lives in Chitralada Palace.
The space is huge and the entire perimeter is walled. It is very popular with tourists, and you can easily spend a couple of hours exploring it. An exterior courtyard at the entrance, gigantic demons, a pantheon, chedis, a replica of Angkor Wat, chapels and museums are some of the buildings that the palace houses…
But among the highlights is Wat Phra Kaew, the temple that houses the beloved Emerald Buddha, a figure less than half a meter high made of jade. You have to take off your shoes to enter this chapel, but it is so crowded and hot that it can be stifling.
The Chakri Maha Prasat Hall, built by architect John Clunich, is a Western-style building to which a Thai-style roof was added, giving it an ambiguous and distinctive appearance.
The palace may seem a bit labyrinthine, but if you go with the flow you will end up seeing each and every interesting point. On weekends, with so many people going, it can be exhausting, so if your visit falls on a Saturday or Sunday, be patient, but don’t miss out on visiting the Grand Palace in Bangkok.
