Hotels near Grand Palace

The Grand Palace has served as the official residence of the Kings of Siam since 1782, when King Rama I moved the capital across the river from Thonburi. The 218,000-square-metre compound contains more than 100 buildings layered across 150 years of architectural experimentation, blending Thai, European, and Khmer influences behind whitewashed fortress walls. The complex's centrepiece is Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, which houses a 66-centimetre jade statue whose golden robes are changed three times per year by the King in a ceremony that dates back to the late 18th century.

Admission is 500 THB (about 13 EUR) for foreign visitors, and the ticket includes entry to the Vimanmek Teak Mansion if used within seven days. The palace opens daily from 08:30 to 15:30 with last entry at 15:00. A strict dress code applies: no shorts, sleeveless tops, or sandals. Free guided tours in English depart from the ticket office at 10:00 and 13:30 on most days. The 178 murals running along the gallery walls of Wat Phra Kaew depict the entire Ramakien epic and are worth a slow walk even when the courtyards are packed.

Pro Tip: Arrive at the ticket office by 08:15. The first 30 minutes after opening are the quietest you will ever experience inside the complex. Ignore anyone outside the gates who tells you the palace is closed for a ceremony - this is the oldest scam in Bangkok.