The Grand Palace, Bangkok

by Robert George, Sep 18, 2002 | Destinations: Thailand / Bangkok

King Rama I built the Grand Palace in 1782, the same year that Bangkok was made the capital of Siam.

The Grand Palace complex houses the royal residence and throne halls, a number of government offices, as well as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The Grand Palace is a large compound surrounded by 1,900 meters of walls and covers an area of 218,000 square meters.

The Temple of the Emerald Buddha is one of the most venerated sites in Thailand. The Emerald Buddha is clad with one of three seasonal costumes (summer, rainy season and winter). The costumes are changed three times a year in a ceremony presided over by His Majesty the King of Thailand.

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