#sawadeekrap

Sawadee kap! Our first day was spent in Bangkok's famous Royal Grand Palace complex. Every visitor to Bangkok should see the magnificent buildings within the Grand Palace compound to get a feeling of the grandeur architectural style. Since the founding of Bangkok as the nation’s capital by King Rama I, The grand palace has been the major architectural symbol of The Thai Royal Family. In the present time, The Royal Family resides at Chitralada Palace while The Grand Palace is used for ceremonial purposes. Located at the heart of Bangkok, the Grand Palace was a former residence for King Rama I to King Rama V of the Rattanakosin Kingdom. Today, the place is used for hosting royal ceremonies and welcoming the king's guests, State guests, and other foreign dignitaries. It is also a place where remains of kings and high-ranked members of the royal family were situated before cremation.

The complex features several magnificent buildings including Wat Phra Kaeo, Temple of the Emerald Buddha, which contains a beautiful Emerald Buddha that dates back to the 14th century. The Temple of the Emerald Buddha remains one of the main reasons visitors flock to the Grand Palace. The temple sits inside the ordination hall and it is considered to be one of the most important temples in Thailand.

Bangkok’s Grand Palace is the busiest tourist stop in the city. Day after day, it’s swarming with tourists from all parts of the world who scramble for some Thai history and culture as they bake in the heat.  

To show adequate respect, you need to adhere to a certain dress code. This will likely be more conservative and modest compared to what you might normally wear in the city or at the beach. Since you are entering a sacred and religious site, you should make your best effort to be respectful of the local cultures and customs. Dress code is strictly enforced at the Grand Palace. As a general rule of thumb, everyone entering a temple will need to cover their knees and shoulders. You shouldn’t wear shorts, mini-skirts, tight-fitting stretch pants, any see-through items of clothing, and sleeveless tops. Even if you have a shawl to cover your shoulders, chances are a security guard will be hesitant to let you in. 

Glad to be back in “The Land of Smiles”. It’s been 20 long years.

Click on links below to read more:

Wat Arun 

Wat Pho  

The Golden Buddhas