The Grand Palace was the official residence of the Kings of Siam from 1782, and Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, stands inside the same walls. It is the most formal sight in Bangkok, so the dress code and an early start matter more here than anywhere else in the city.
Plan your visit
Fees, hours and dress code
| Entrance fee | 500 THB for foreign visitors. The ticket includes a Khon masked dance performance at Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre, valid for seven days. |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Daily, 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM. |
| Dress code | Shoulders and knees covered. Scarves and shawls do not count as cover. |
| Best time | Be at the gate by 8:30 AM. The busiest window is 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. |
| Photography | Allowed in the outer courtyards, not inside the main temple building. |
Getting there. Take the BTS Skytrain to Saphan Taksin station, then the Chao Phraya Express Boat to Tha Chang Pier (N9). The river route avoids the worst of Bangkok's traffic.
Sandals. They are fine, as long as your shoulders and knees are covered. Light linen trousers and a t-shirt keep you cool and respectful.
A royal complex since 1782
The Grand Palace served as the home of the Kings of Siam for generations, and the buildings show it: traditional Thai rooflines and spires sit beside European-influenced halls, built across the reign of the Chakri Dynasty. Compare the older and newer halls as you walk and the shifts in style are easy to see.
A guided tour helps with the architecture and symbolism, but the palace is easy to do on your own.
What to see
The Emerald Buddha
Carved from a single block of jade and housed in Wat Phra Kaew. The King changes its gold attire three times a year, marking the summer, rainy and winter seasons. Photography is not allowed inside; sit quietly for a few minutes instead.
The Ramakien murals
The gallery around Wat Phra Kaew holds 178 panels illustrating the Thai version of the Ramayana. Look for the demon guardians standing at the gateways.
The palace halls
Boromphiman Throne Hall and Chakri Maha Prasat Hall stand in the Outer and Central Courts. A miniature model of Angkor Wat in the grounds is a reminder of the old links between Thailand and Cambodia.
Visit Wat Phra Kaew first, then continue to the palace halls.
Tours
Grand Palace tours and tickets
Guided tours add context on the buildings, the murals and the Emerald Buddha, and can be combined with Wat Pho and Wat Arun.
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Dress code and etiquette
The dress code here is the strictest in the country. A scarf or shawl will not do if you are wearing a sleeveless top.
Men should wear long trousers and a shirt with sleeves. Women should wear long skirts or trousers. Ripped jeans and sleeveless tops are not allowed.
If you arrive unprepared, there are usually shops outside the palace that sell or rent suitable clothing, but dressing correctly beforehand saves time and money.
Beating the crowds
Reach the ticket office about 15 minutes before the 8:30 AM opening. The palace closes at 3:30 PM, and the peak crowding window is 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. A weekday morning is calmer than a weekend.
Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the complex covers a lot of ground, and bring water and a hat for the midday sun.
Nearby
Wat Pho is just south of the palace. Its 46-meter gold-plated Reclining Buddha is the headline, and the temple is also the birthplace of traditional Thai massage, with a massage school on site. It is more relaxed than the palace.
Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, is across the Chao Phraya, a short cross-river ferry ride away. Climb the steep steps for a view back over the river and the palace, and stay for sunset if you can.
Elsewhere in the city: the Chatuchak Weekend Market on weekends, the floating markets on a day trip, street food tours in the evening, or a Chao Phraya river cruise past the illuminated palace and Wat Arun.