Thailand
Royal Palace
Wat Phra Kaew und Esmeralda Buddha
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Honestly, a visit to the Royal Palace and Wat Phra Kaew is a MUST for every Bangkok visitor. *Even though I personally lost my heart to Wat Pho.
When the royal palace was moved to Bangkok in 1782, the site was chosen because it was safe from flooding. The then resident Chinese traders were relocated to today's Chinatown.
The cultural center of the city is on the Sanam Luang. Area south of the square down to the river is home to the fairytale Royal Palace and Royal Temple of Wat Phra Kaew. At the southern end of Sanam Luang is the guarded entrance gate and access. Please remember that you are either dressed accordingly. Or, as already mentioned in the Good to Know article, bring long trousers and a cardigan to wear and put them on before entering. There is a strict dress code here.
south-west gate leads to the Royal Palace.
The south-west gate leads to the Royal Palace. The Amarin Winitchai Throne Hall was originally built by Rama I, as a courthouse. This hall was later used for receptions and royal celebrations. Exhibited in the hall is a throne with the ruler's nine-tiered white umbrella. It was already used by King Rama I.
The Renaissance-style Chakri Maha Prasad Palace catches the eye as it doesn't fit into the picture of Siamese peaked roofs and turrets. The urns of the last kings are kept in these buildings and are of course not accessible to us.
Dusit Maha Prasad palace, which was planned by Rama I as a coronation hall, has only been used for funeral ceremonies since his death.
Inside the Temple Museum is located in the west area. If you are interested in the restoration work of the measures carried out in the 80s and have enough time, you have come to the right place.
Wat Phra Kaew
Here, too, I immediately remember the first visit with our son Alejandro, he was enthusiastic about the murals. We could have spent hours with him here because he was always discovering new stories and good and bad monsters as he called the gods.
178 images depict scenes from the Thai Ramayana epic, the Ramakien. By beginning of the story starts behind the Viharn Yot.
As soon as you walk in you are completely overwhelmed by the pomp and glitter. The photos and pictures are impressive, but this feeling you get when Entrance cannot be expressed in pictures or words. I often have moments like this on my travels and when I tell you about them, this feeling immediately comes back to me. Nice.
Opening hours as always without guarantee and ask again best in your hotel reception:
Daily from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Admission 500 baht (2022)
How to get to the palace:
Well, that depends on where you're coming from in the city?
If the Chao Praya is nearby, I would always advise you to use the orange flag boat. You can easily board and pay on board, in some places it is charged beforehand, but you will quickly notice that. This way of exploring Bangkok is definitely my number one!
If you are not sure, ask in the taxi, how much it costs to get to the palace or even the tuk tuk. I always say please turn on the taximeter, but I know my way around Bangkok quite well by now. Drive directly to the Sanam Luang.
You can also search for the nearest MRT station - Hua Lamphong or Skyrain - National Stadium and then continue by taxi or tuk tuk as neither are in close proximity. If you have a good sense of direction and like to run like me then you can also walk.
Well, if you're not sure if you dare to come alone, there are excursions that are well organized and offered in different languages.
