Article Preview

Title: Hor Phra Monthian Dharma
Location: Grand Palace พระบรมมหาราชวัง, Bangkok, Central Thailand
Date: 3 September 2009, 2:44pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/8.0, ISO Equiv.: 100

A white prang behind Hor Phra Monthian Dharma.


After exploring the ancient wall paintings, I spent another three hours discovering Grand Palace พระบรมมหาราชวัง. It was the HOTTEST DAY in my life!!! I was sweating buckets. My face and shoulders turned to dark chocolate brown...the sunburn was INTENSE! Luckily, the sky was sunny and ocean blue. So, I spent long hours under the Sun hoping to capture some decent shots.

The Grand Palace พระบรมมหาราชวัง is indeed G.R.A.N.D in size. I nearly lost my way. There are 34 attractions in Grand Palace พระบรมมหาราชวัง. Thankfully, I was given an informative brochure with colourful plan of the palace. The best attractions are the golden bell-shaped Phra Siratana Chedi, two fierce looking temple guardians, a medium-sized model of Angkor Wat, Temple of Emerald Buddha or Wat Phra Kaew วัดพระแก้ว and the palace museum.

On your way out, remember to visit Wat Phra Kaew Museum located before the exit. This is a great place to learn everything about the architecture, artifacts and history of Grand Palace พระบรมมหาราชวัง. It has exclusive displays with informative descriptions. A small museum but the collections are simply impressive. It was the first time in my life spending time reading every little piece of info available.

Grand Palace พระบรมมหาราชวัง is the TOP 1 MUST-SEE places in Bangkok. Remember to start your journey early as you need one full morning or at least four hours to truly explore the entire place.

Next Post...Wat Arun วัดอรุณ or Temple of the Dawn.

Title: Phra Siratana Chedi เจดีย์
Location: Grand Palace พระบรมมหาราชวัง, Bangkok, Central Thailand
Date: 3 September 2009, 2:30pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/11, ISO Equiv.: 100

This gold chedi เจดีย์ looks like a gigantic ice cream bell. Chedi เจดีย์ is also known as stupa or pagoda.

Title: Phra Siratana Chedi เจดีย์
Location: Grand Palace พระบรมมหาราชวัง, Bangkok, Central Thailand
Date: 3 September 2009, 2:12pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/9.0, ISO Equiv.: 100

This generally bell-shaped tower will usually contain a relic of the Buddha, but may also be built to contain the ashes of a king or important monk. Those who can afford it may also build smaller, typically square-shaped, ones for their own final resting place. The bell-shaped chedi เจดีย์ evolved during the golden age of Ayutthaya.

Source: http://thailandforvisitors.com/templeterms.html

Title: Unknown Building
Location: Grand Palace พระบรมมหาราชวัง, Bangkok, Central Thailand
Date: 3 September 2009, 3:01pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/9.0, ISO Equiv.: 100

A unique looking building. I spent loads of time trying to identify this building but failed to find a match.


Grand Palace พระบรมมหาราชวัง, Looking Back - A Slide show

Title: The Guardian's Hand
Location: Grand Palace พระบรมมหาราชวัง, Bangkok, Central Thailand
Date: 3 September 2009, 1:26pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/9.0, ISO Equiv.: 100

Look at the bracelet. Some 'jewels' were missing. Visitors has been stealing these tiny little 'stones' from Grand Palace. Actually, these shiny bling-bling are pieces of coloured glass...nothing else.

Title: A Mosaic Tower
Location: Grand Palace พระบรมมหาราชวัง, Bangkok, Central Thailand
Date: 3 September 2009, 3:03pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/7.1, ISO Equiv.: 100

A tower with exquisite workmanship.

Title: Armored Warrior
Location: Grand Palace พระบรมมหาราชวัง, Bangkok, Central Thailand
Date: 3 September 2009, 1:17pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/8.0, ISO Equiv.: 100

A towering warrior guarding Temple of Emerald Buddha วัดพระแก้ว also known as Wat Phra Kaew. His weapon look like a modified lightsaber :)

Title: The Royal Pantheon or Phra Asada Maha Chedi
Location: Grand Palace พระบรมมหาราชวัง, Bangkok, Central Thailand
Date: 3 September 2009, 2:32pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/8.0, ISO Equiv.: 100

The Royal Pantheon was constructed during the reign of King Rama IV in 1855. He intended to place the Emerald Buddha here but the building was not completed until after his death. His successor, King Rama V, considered the building too small to accommodate the congregation at royal ceremonies so the Emerald Buddha was not placed in this building. A small gilt stupa belonging to King Rama IV was placed there instead.

The building is only open to the public on one day a year -- Chakri Day, which falls on 6 April every year.

Title: Phra Wiharn Yod
Location: Grand Palace พระบรมมหาราชวัง, Bangkok, Central Thailand
Date: 3 September 2009, 2:36pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/7.1, ISO Equiv.: 100

The gabled Wiharn is decorated with flowery tiles and porcelain. Phra Wiharn Yod is part of the subsidiary buildings in Grand Palace พระบรมมหาราชวัง.

Title: The Phra Maha Monthian Group
Location: Grand Palace พระบรมมหาราชวัง, Bangkok, Central Thailand
Date: 3 September 2009, 3:23pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/9.0, ISO Equiv.: 100

This area consists of three main buildings, namely the Audience Hall of Amarinda Winitchai, the Paisal Taksin Hall and the Chakraphat Phiman Hall.

Title: Thai Prangs (Tower)
Location: Grand Palace พระบรมมหาราชวัง, Bangkok, Central Thailand
Date: 3 September 2009, 2:48pm
Camera: Nikon D60 with Aperture: f/7.1, ISO Equiv.: 100

Three of the eight Thai prangs (tower) visible from the Temple of Emerald Buddha วัดพระแก้ว. The “Eight Prangs” are of different colours. Each one is dedicated to a certain Buddhist concept, as follows:

White: The Buddha Sakayamuni
Purplish Blue: The Teaching of the Buddha
Pink: The Community of Buddhist Monks
Green : The Buddhist Female Monks
Purple: One who has attained nirvana but who is not able to preach the knowledge to men (P. pacceka-buddha)
Dark Blue: The Universal Monarchs
Red: The Buddha in his Former Lives
Yellow: The Buddha Maitreya, the Future Buddha


Grand Palace พระบรมมหาราชวัง - Getting There:

Getting to the Grand Palace พระบรมมหาราชวัง is quite easy by boat. Take the Chaophraya Express Boat to the Chang Pier (Tha Chang). Walk through the market around the pier and out onto the plaza flanked by old shop houses. The long white wall of the Grand Palace พระบรมมหาราชวัง is across the street on your right. You can't really miss it. The entrance is the second gate in the wall.

Grand Palace พระบรมมหาราชวัง - Opening Hours & Fares:

Ticket costs 350 THB each

The yellow part is for the Grand Palace and is valid only on the day of purchase. ( A guide book will be given to each visitor at the entrance to the temple.)

The blue part is for the Vimanmek Mansion Museum ( The world's largest golden teakwood mansion ) This part of the ticket is valid for 7 days from the day of purchase. The Vimanmek Mansion Museum is located at Suan Phuttan Garden on Ratchawithi Road in the Dusit District of Bangkok, and may be reached by bus number 70, departing from outside the Grand Palace, or by taxi. (Note : Entry to Vimanmek Museum will not be permitted without the blue part of the ticket, which may also be purchased separately, on a daily basis, at the museum for 100 Baht.)

The white ticket is for The Royal Thai Decoration and Coin Pavilion, which is on the right hand side before the entrance to the temple.

Open everyday from 8.30 a.m. to 16.30 p.m.
Tickets sold until 15.30 p.m.
Phone: 02-623-5500 Ext. 1124, 3100

Grand Palace พระบรมมหาราชวัง - Things To Do/See:

a) The Royal Chapel of Emerald Buddha
b) The Upper Terrace
c) Subsidiary Buildings
d) The Galleries
e) Phra Maha Montien
f) Chakri Maha Prasat Hall
g) Dusit Maha Prasat Hall
h) Borom Phiman Mansion
i) Phra Asada maha Chedi
j) Amarin Winitchai Hall
k) Wat Phra Keo/Kaew Museum

Total = 34 attractions

Grand Palace พระบรมมหาราชวัง - Read More:

a) http://tinyurl.com/njf5u3 (Thailandforvisitors.com)
e) http://tinyurl.com/mwu9p9 (TripAdvisor Travelers' Review)

Grand Palace พระบรมมหาราชวัง - Maps, Guide & Layout:


4 comments

  1. Shelyn Says:
  2. Never know there are so much to see in Bangkok until reading through your blog. I think I missed so many attractions despite having been to Bangkok for several times.

    I guess my bf didn't visit all these places also, even though he was sent to work in Bangkok for one month.

     
  3. shloke Says:
  4. Shelyn,

    There are too many things to see and explore in Thailand. As of 31 December 2004, there are 40,717 Buddhist temples in Thailand. That's insane!

    I've only seen 10% of Bangkok. Wish I can stay a bit longer.

    Shelyn, remember to explore more places with Don on your next trip to Bangkok!!

    Cheers!
    mylo

     
  5. When I first visit Bangkok I found that I can see Temples everywhere, especially during the tour of the Chao Phraya River. I've saw the real lifes of people living on both sides of the river, It's a heart warming experience for me. One things to remember: when visiting temples, show respect to the Buddha, and the monks. Take off your shoes before entering into the hall and don't wear shorts or tank tops in temples.

     
  6. shloke Says:
  7. Guide to Bangkok Hotels

    Thanks for sharing!

    Cheers!
    mylo

     
Related Posts with Thumbnails












My Photo
shloke
Traveling & photography are the most rewarding & enriching experiences in my life. Photography is all about discovery, enjoying myself, having adventure, learning people & nature. The greatest experience for me is the connection I felt with NATURE. If you haven’t seen Malaysia, you haven’t seen the world! My photography works are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported.
View my complete profile


mylo's twitter

Twitter Updates

    follow me on Twitter