Live Photo Blog: The Grand Palace

After being closed to tourists for nearly a month for the Royal Cremation Ceremony, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the Grand Palace have finally re-opened. I decided to visit on the opening day. My plan was to do three locations on a half-day walking and boat trip. The Grand Palace, walking to Wat Pho (The Reclining Buddha Temple), then boat to Wat Arun (The Temple of Dawn). Total admission cost was 650 Baht.

THIS BLOG WAS LIVE ON 30 OCTOBER 2017

Google Map of 3-temple tour

I started my three temple tour at the entrance to the Grand Palace. The easiest access point is probably Tha Chang Pier. You can catch a river express boat from Sathon (BTS Saphan Taksin) to here for only 15 Baht. After the Grand Palace, leave the entrance and turn left to the intersection with Maha Rat Road. Turn left and walk south with the palace walls on your left. Cross diagonally at the intersection and enter Wat Pho. When you come out, cross the intersection again and Tha Thian Pier is on your left. The cross river ferry to Wat Arun is only 4 Baht.

* The following pictures were being posted live on this blog during my walkabout.

General Pictures

These are some random pictures from my walkabout today. The road around Sanam Luang is still closed and so I had to walk in for about ten minutes. But it looks like they will open more roads soon. I also noticed that there was a security checkpoint near Tha Chang. They were checking passports and bags. Lots of scammers out today. Don’t trust anyone that comes up to you and starts chatting. Thais don’t usually do that.

The Grand Palace

The Grand Palace (พระบรมมหาราชวัง) is a complex of buildings at the heart of Bangkok. The palace has been the official residence of the Kings of Siam (and later Thailand) since 1782. The king, his court and his royal government were based on the grounds of the palace until 1925. King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), resided at the Chitralada Royal Villa and his successor King Vajiralongkorn (Rama X) at the Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall, both in the Dusit Palace, but the Grand Palace is still used for official events. Several royal ceremonies and state functions are held within the walls of the palace every year. The palace is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Thailand.

Wat Pho (The Temple of the Reclining Buddha)

Wat Pho (วัดโพธิ์) is a Buddhist temple complex in the Phra Nakhon District of Bangkok. It is on Rattanakosin Island, directly south of the Grand Palace. It’s also known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. The temple is first on the list of six temples in Thailand classed as the highest grade of the first-class royal temples. It is associated with King Rama I who rebuilt the temple complex on an earlier temple site, and became his main temple where some of his ashes are enshrined. The temple complex houses the largest collection of Buddha images in Thailand, including a 46 m long reclining Buddha. The temple is considered the earliest centre for public education in Thailand, and the marble illustrations and inscriptions placed in the temple for public instructions has been recognised by UNESCO in its Memory of the World Programme. It houses a school of Thai medicine, and is also known as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage which is still taught and practiced at the temple.

Wat Arun (The Temple of Dawn)

Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan (วัดอรุณราชวราราม ราชวรมหาวิหาร) or Wat Arun is a Buddhist temple (wat) in Bangkok Yai district of Bangkok, on the Thonburi west bank of the Chao Phraya River. It’s also known as “The Temple of Dawn”. The temple derives its name from the Hindu god Aruna, often personified as the radiations of the rising sun. Wat Arun is among the best known of Thailand’s landmarks and the first light of the morning reflects off the surface of the temple with pearly iridescence. Although the temple has existed since at least the seventeenth century, its distinctive prang (spires) were built in the early nineteenth century during the reign of King Rama II.

 

All pictures were uploaded live during the day. This was my first attempt of doing a Live Photo blog. Hopefully there will be more.

6 thoughts on “Live Photo Blog: The Grand Palace

  • November 2, 2017 at 6:31 am
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    Hope to visit these temples when in Bangkok for a few days at end of November. Conflicting reports on acceptable dress. Long shorts with t shirt and covered shoes OK?

    Reply
  • November 2, 2017 at 3:20 am
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    You really have an eye for what makes a good photo.
    Keep it up 😉

    Reply
  • October 30, 2017 at 2:04 pm
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    Hi Richard,

    Your photos are so vibrant and beautiful. They are truly works of art.

    Thank you for sharing your local knowledge with us. Keep them coming.

    Reply
  • October 30, 2017 at 12:06 pm
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    Always love seeing your photos and blog notes. Excellent work. Keep on doing this.

    Reply

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