This is a - must- for every visitor to Bangkok, for the grand Palace Complex, which includes the Temple of The Emerald Buddha ( Wat Phra Keow ) is unquestionably one of the wonders of the world today. Within its enormous grounds is the most exotic Buddhist temple and at the heart of the temple itself is a fabulous Buddha image, carved from one-piece jade, which is the holiest and most revered of religious objects in Thailand today.
Nearby is the Grand Palace, once the official home of the Kings of Siam - built in traditional Thai architecture mixed with European designs. You will also visit The Royal Funeral Hall and The Royal Coronation Hall.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.
