Here are our highlight places to visit in Bangkok.
Wat Phra Kaeo (Temple
of the Emerald Buddha)
The temple is in the outer section of the
Royal Enclosure west of the Grand Palace . It was built
on the orders of King Rama I along with the Grand Palace
and Rattanakosin Island , and is built as a temple in a
Royal compound like Wat Sri Sanphet in Ayutthaya . It has
no resident monks.
The Emerald Buddha (Phra Putta
Maha Mani Ratana Patimakorn or Phra Kaeo Morakot)
: This is a Buddha image in the meditating position
in the style of the Lanna school of the north, dating from
the 15th century AD. King Rama I brought it from Vientiane
, and it is considered to be the most important Buddha image
in the country.
Model of Angkor Wat : King
Rama IV had this built by Phra Samphopphai when Cambodia
was under Siamese control. The model was recreated in plaster
at the behest of King Rama V to celebrate the first centenary
of the Royal city.
Prasat Phra Thepidon : This
four-square prang originally called "Puttaprang Prasat"
was built in the reign of King Rama IV. Inside are statues
of Kings Rama I-King Rama VIII, to which the public pay
their respects on Chakri Day, April 6, every year.
Mondop :This structure stands
behind Prasat Phra Thepidon, and was built in the reign
of King Rama I. Inside is a cabinet holding the Buddhist
scriptures beautifully decorated in mother-of-pearl.
Balcony : This can be compared
to the temple wall. The murals inside tell the Ramayana
story in its entirety. On the columns of the balcony are
stone inscriptions of the verses describing the murals.
Phra Sri Ratana Chedi : Built
in the style of Wat Sri Sanphet in Ayutthaya , this chedi
is to the west of the Monhop. Inside is a small chedi with
relics of the Lord Buddha.
Phra Atsada Maha Chedi :
This group of eight chedis stands in front of the temple.
It was built in the reign of King Rama I and dedicated to
the heavens. Six of the group are outside the balcony, two
are inside. Each has its own name.
Yaksa Tavarnbal (Gate-keeping Giants)
: Six pairs of mythical ogres stand at each gate of the
Balcony. These are the main Giants of the Ramayana.
Hor Phra Khanthan-rat : Standing
in the estern corner of the balcony, this is where the Phra
Puttakhanthan-rat figure is enshrined. It presides over
the Royal rain-making ceremony and the ceremony of the first
rice planting. Inside are paintings by the mural artist
Khrua In Khong.
Hor Phra Ratcha Karamanusorn :
Inside this structure are 34 Buddha images in various positions,
built by command of King Rama III and dedicated the kings
of Ayutthaya and Thonburi.
Hor Phra Ratcha Pongsanusorn
: Built in the reign of King Rama IV, this is the location
of the Buddha image of the reigning King of the Rattanakosin
Era. Inside are murals of Royal chronicles of Ayutthaya
by Khrua In Khong.
Hor Phra Nak : Situated behind
the temple, this traditional Thai building roofed with glazed
tiles contains the ashes of the Royal family.
How to get there
Bus Routes : 18, 28, 108, 510, 515
Opening Hours: Open to the
public everyday from 9.30 am. to 3.15 pm.
Admission Fee: Baht 100. If
you have visited The Grand Palace on the same day you will
have also received an entrance ticket to Vimanmek Palace
which is valid.
