Grand Palace
The Grand Palace (Call in thai is Phra Borom Maha Ratcha Wang) is a complex of buildings in Bangkok, Thailand. It served as the official residence of the king of Thailand from the 18th century to the mid-20th century. After the death of King Ananda Mahidol in the Grand Palace, King Bhumibol moved the official royal residence to Chitralada Palace. Construction of the palace complex began in 1782, during the reign of Rama I.
The palace complex sits on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River. The other approaches to the palace are protected by a defensive wall of 1,900 metres in length, which encloses an area of 218,400 square metres. Further out from the wall is a canal, which was also created for defensive purposes, making the area surrounding the palace an island, known as Rattanakosin.
Prominent parts of the Grand Palace:
* Wat Phra Kaew, the temple containing the Emerald Buddha
* Chakri Mahaprasad Hall, a building in a style influenced by the Italian Renaissance
The Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phrakaew) are located on Rattanakosin island, the heart of Old Bangkok city, close to the Chao Phraya River. The Temple and Grand Palace compound can be visited between 8.30 AM and 3.30 PM. When visiting with a tour group you will only get a glimpse of the whole site (usually in less than 90 minutes) We recommend you go on your own or in a small group. You will most likely need 3 to 4 hours to see the whole site. Tourists enter first into the Wat Phrakaew compound, and then (no return) the Royal Grand Palace compound. Do not neglect to visit the inside of the monuments, both at the temple and the Grand Palace. Pictures are not allowed to be taken inside the buildings. We recommend you go as early as possible, especially if you want to take pictures, since the Bangkok sun does allow for very good images at midday.  This palace has an area of 218,400 sq. metres and is surrounded by walls built in 1783. The length of the four walls totals 1900 metres. Within these walls are situated government offices and the Chapel Royal of the Emerald Buddha besides the royal residences. When Siam restored law and order after the fall of Ayutthaya the monarch lived in Thonburi on the other side of the river. Rama I, immediately on ascending the throne, moved the centre of administration to this side of the Chao Phraya; and, after erecting public monuments such as fortifications and monasteries, built a palace to serve not only as his residence but also his offices - the various ministries, only one of which remains in the palace walls. This palace came to be known as the Grand Palace, in which the earliest edifices contemporary with the foundation of Bangkok were the two groups of residences named the Dusit-Mahaprasard and the Mahamontien.
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Places to visit 
