About 20 years ago we visited the Grand Palace with the associated Wat Phra Kaeo for the first time. At that time it was still a leisurely walk through the complex and one could undisturbed take pictures.
Today enormous crowds flock on the courts and through the corridors and halls, so it is no longer possible to make a video setting without tourists running in front of the lens. Security controls, such as the inspection of bags are included.
Wat Phra Kaeo
Our tour starts at Wat Phra Kaeo, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The 70 cm tall statue is enthroned in 11 m height and is surrounded by a further 10 Buddha statues.
According to legend, the statue was found in Chiang Rai in northern Thailand. After an odyssey via Lampang, Chiang Mai and Vientiane it came to Bangkok. The statue is attributed magical powers.
The emerald Buddha is regarded Thailand’s National shrine.
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More InformationThe Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Phra Ubosot) is the central sanctuary of the temple. On a terrace rises a huge golden Chedi (Phra Sri Rattana Chedi) which allegedly contains a portion of the sternum of Buddha.
Striking is also the so-called library (Phra Mondop), where precious scrolls are kept. Next to it you see a model of Angkor Wat. Below the terrace is the Royal Pantheon (Prasat Phra Thep Bidon), which, like the library, is not accessible.
Remarkable are the statues of gilded mythical mythical creatures, which are distributed throughout the complex.
Grand Palace
Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of Thailand was destroyed, Bangkok declared the new capital when king Rama I decided to build a new palace for strategic reasons on the east side of the Chao Phraya River.
During the construction of the palace one oriented themselves at the former palace complex in Ayutthaya. The move was carried out 1782.
The Wat Phra Kaeo is part of the entire palace complex, which is surrounded by a high stone wall.
A central component is the Chakri Maha Prasat group, a building complex which contains the throne room.
Various buildings and Ceremonial Hall, Coronation Hall and a room where the king is preserved after his death are now accessible, however, filming and photographing is strictly prohibited today.
Please read on > Flight from Bangkok to Hanoi
We thank our knowledgeable guide, Mrs Tai Duangrat Loysuvong, for the explanations during this part of a TBEX tour.
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