Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew
พระบรมมหาราชวัง
A complex of royal palace buildings constructed when King Rama I founded Bangkok in 1782, with the dazzling Wat Phra Kaew housing Thailand's most sacred Emerald Buddha. A must-see in Bangkok.
The Grand Palace was built in 1782 when Rama I established Bangkok as the capital. Covering roughly 218,000 square meters, it served for generations as the royal residence and the seat of government, and it is still used for royal ceremonies. The complex has two main parts. Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) is a royal temple. Inside its main ordination hall sits the Emerald Buddha, carved from a single piece of jade and standing 66 cm tall. The King personally changes its seasonal robes three times a year. Highlights outside the hall include the golden chedi (Phra Si Ratana Chedi), the library, the Phiman Rattaya Hall, a model of Angkor Wat, and 178 Ramakien murals along the cloisters. The palace section includes the Chakri Maha Prasat Hall, a hybrid building with a Thai roof and European facade, as well as the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall and Amarin Winitchai Hall. Foreigners pay 500 baht, which includes Wat Phra Kaew, the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles, and the teak-wood palace opposite. Tickets can be booked in advance on the official website. Visit tip: Arrive when the gates open at 8:30, see Wat Phra Kaew first and then the palaces. Allow 2 to 3 hours. After leaving, walk 10 minutes to Wat Pho, then take a ferry across the river to Wat Arun. This is a classic half-day route through the old city. Getting there: Sanam Chai MRT station is a 10-minute walk away, or take an express boat on the Chao Phraya River and disembark at Tha Chang Pier, a 5-minute walk. Dress code: Wear long trousers or a knee-length skirt, and tops with sleeves. Flip-flops are not allowed. Sarongs can be rented at the entrance. Beware of people at the gate who say the site is 'closed today'; it is a scam, so ignore them. The midday heat is intense, so bring water and a hat.
Opening hours
08:30–15:30 (closed temporarily on royal ceremony days)
Nearby sights
- Wat Pho
- Museum Siam
- Wat Arun
- Bangkok National Museum
- Pak Khlong Talat (Flower Market)
- Wat Suthat & Giant Swing
- Khao San Road
- Wat Ratchanatdaram (Loha Prasat)