The Grand Palace located in the old city of Bangkok on the banks of the Chao Phraya river is one of the must see sites of Thailand. This complex is one of the most famous landmarks of the country and offers spectacular buildings and sacred sites.
History of the Grand Palace
The Grand Palace is a magnificent complex of buildings of great significance. Construction of the complex began in 1782 when King Rama I decided to move the capital of Thailand from Thonburi to an area known as Rattanakosin island on the East side of the Chao Phraya river.
The complex is surrounded by 1,900 meters long walls and houses among others Royal residences, the throne halls and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. It housed the center of government and the Royal Court and became the center of the Kingdom.
The Grand Palace served as the official residence of Thai Kings until the reign of King Chulalongkorn at the end of the 19th century.
Today the Palace is used for a number of Royal rituals, state banquets and other official functions. Some parts of the Palace like the Inner Court are not open to the public.
Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall & Borom Phiman Mansion
The two oldest buildings are the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall and the Phra Maha Monthian. The main function of the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall built by King Rama I is to host the lying in state ceremony for Kings, Queens and members of the Royal Family. During this ceremony a large number of people can pay their respects to the deceased.
One of the most recent buildings is the Borom Phiman Mansion which was built early 20th century by King Rama V. This building is build in western style and was build as a residence for future Kings.
Grand Palace Bangkok
Name
Grand Palace
Date
1782
King
Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (Rama I)
Location
Rattanakosin area, Bangkok
The Temple of the Emerald Buddha
The Wat Phra Kaew or “Temple of the Emerald Buddha” on the grounds of the Grand Palace is one of Thailand’s most sacred places. The small Buddha image is believed to be more than 2000 years old and was created in India. Since then it was moved a number of times and in 1434 it was re-discovered in a temple in Chiang Rai in Northern Thailand.
Although people back then believed the Buddha to be made from emerald, it is actually made from green jade. With the changing of the seasons (summer, rainy season and cool season), the robes of the Emerald Buddha are changed by HM the King of Thailand.
The walls of the Hall are covered with mural paintings depicting a number of events in the Life of the Lord Buddha, including birth, death and Enlightenmen.
Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall