Thailand
Bangkok
Grand Palace
The Grand Palace was started by King Rama I (1782 - 1809), the first king of the Chakri Dynasty. The palace then became the administrative capital of Thailand, as well as the residence of the King and the Emerald Buddha. The Buddha was discovered in the 15th century in the northern town of Chiang Rai covered in plaster it was brought to Bangkok in the late 18th century by the future king Rama I, who was then serving as general under Tok Sin, the last ruler of the previous dynasty. After he became king he moved the capitol to Bangkok and in 1782 constructed Wat Phra Keow, commonly called the Temple of the Emerald Buddha to house the Emerald Buddha. This is one of the most venerated sites in Thailand. As each king ascended to the throne they made changes to the palace. READ MORE
Temples of Bangkok
A Temple in Thailand is called a Wat and is classified as a Royal Temple - which is official recognition of a temple's legitimacy – or a Common Temple. The Wat is usually in enclosed grounds giving it an aurora of peace and calm. Inside the grounds the image of the Buddha is kept in a hall which is called the Bot, this is where people pay their respects to the Buddha by lighting candles and incense sticks and praying before the Buddha image.
A myriad of Temples are scattered around Bangkok and several can be visited in a day, certainly, any visit to Bangkok should include:
• Wat Phra Kaew - Temple of the Emerald Buddha
• Wat Pho – Temple of the Reclining Buddha.
• Wat Indravihan
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