The Grand Palace, Bangkok

Bangkok, thailand June 3rd, 2009

Continuation from:-
Hour Past Midnight
Along Chao Phraya

27th February 2009
===============

As we got off Ta Chang pier, it suddenly hit me this is Bangkok’s peak season - not a good time for taking photographs of the Grand Palace. Almost all the tourist on the boat got off the same stop as us, most of them are heading towards the Grand Palace. Yikes!

Hawkers at Ta Chang pier

At the pier, there were many hawkers and local peddlers trying to sell junks, souvenirs and all type of food/snacks to the foreigners. The food smelled almost tempting but the preparation didn’t look too clean. Thanks but no thanks, i wouldn’t want to risk a trip to the hospital on my first day in Bangkok.

Goods on the ground

It’s a tourist area since the Grand Palace is just opposite road from the pier. Hence, many peddlers occupied the stretch with goods placed on a mat on the ground - big umbrellas set up to shun from the sun.

The tuk-tuk drivers and taxi drivers at this area are notorious. They have no qualms stopping you in the middle of the busy traffic offering their services. Beware of getting ripped off at this area. Some of the drivers are not as honest - hiking up their price, and some might even lie to your face!

Tuk tuk

At one point after we were done with the Grand Palace, one of the driver tried to con us. The hawk-eye driver obviously saw us asking the palace guard the direction to Wat Pho. Might i add that the palace guard was drunk?! I can’t believe it! The intoxicated guard had a hard time understanding our questions and even mistaken my sister for a local Thai girl. LOL.

Anyways the driver stepped in and informed us Wat Pho was closed at that time and would only be opened for visitors later that evening. He offered to take us to some other sights then back to Wat Pho in the evening for a fee. Fortunately Mr. Bf had read about such conning scheme from Lonely Planet. We weren’t fooled at all. He walked with a sour face empty handed.

Outside Grand Palace

The Grand Palace looked huge and magnificent even from the outside. The walls surrounding the grounds seems to stretch on forever.

Palace Guards enjoying the shade while we bake under the sun

There is an entrance fee of 250BHT per pax (inclusive of visits to Wat Phra Kaew) and there is a dress code you must adhere to. From what friends told me, no slippers or shorts are allowed else there are sarongs available for renting at the entrance. Females must have their shoulders covered too.

We were quite worried because of the super humid weather and we had to wear long pants and tops with sleeves. I remember the sun being so blazing hot, it’s like getting roasted marinated in sunblock! But like i said rules are rules and there are cultures you have to respect. Roasted human or not. Right?

To the Grand Palace

I’m not a temple or a palace person in this case. They all look the same, no? But it was mom and dad’s first time so i complied.

Nevertheless, i admit being a little in awe upon entering the gates. The place was huge and the buildings/monuments so heavily ornamented, even the giant guarding the palace statues are covered whole with decorative. It was a magnificent view of Bangkok’s religious and ceremonial life.

Demon guard

Demons

The Upper Terrace of the Grand Palace house the 4 main monuments, The Phra Siratana Chedi (the Shrine), a miniature Angkor Wat, Prasat Phra Dhepbidorn (the Royal Pantheon) and the Phra Mondop (the Scripture Library).

Phra Siratana Chedi

The Shrine must be the most photographed monument within the Grand Palace. It’s in the postcards, catalogs even in friends’ holiday photos. It’s like meeting an old friend don’t you think?

Miniature Angkor Wat

My favorite happens to be the Phra Mondop which serves as a repository for scriptures and manuscripts. The walls of the library a wonder - covered in green tiles inlaid with gold medallions. Stone Buddhas guard the Phra Mondop at each of its four corners, and sixteen columns support the Phra Mondop’s roof.

Phra Mondop

The exterior is amazing.

To the Gold Buddhas

Unfortunately, the interior is not open for public

Beautiful detail

The next important visit within the palace grounds is the Wat Phra Kaew also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Inside lies the green jade Emerald Buddha enshrined on a golden traditional Thai-style throne. The Buddha is clad in one of the 3 seasonal costumes (summer, rainy, winter). Within the wat is also some old relics on display - coins, cutlery, accessories and etc.

Visitors are not allowed to take pictures inside the monastery but visitors can take photographs of the surroundings i.e. the halls.

Wall murals

The monastery compound is enclosed by narrow halls with galleries of murals. The walls are decorated with scenes depicting scenes from the Ramakien.

Up above

Like i said, the palace ground is huge. It’s torture maneuvering around in the extreme weather. We decided to call it a day after our last stop at the Weapon Museum.

Opposite weapon museum