The Grand Palace, Bangkok

Bangkok's Royal Palace, also known as the Grand Palace, is the most famous and most visited monument in Bangkok. Built in 1782 on the right bank of the Chao Phraya River, it has been home to the royal family and court for 150 years.

This splendid palace receives thousands of visitors daily. They come to admire its magnificent architecture and the refinement of its decorations. The Grand Palace remains the spiritual heart of the kingdom. 

The palace was the main royal residence for over 150 years until 1932. It was also the seat of government until 1925. From that time onwards, the government was relocated elsewhere, and in 1932 it was the turn of the King and his family to move when absolute monarchy was abolished in Thailand. 

The palace is still used today for official events. Also every year, many royal and state ceremonies are held there. 

As you can see from these photos, you will not be alone when you come to discover this place. Thousands of visitors from all walks of life come and go in the aisles of this prestigious venue.

The most sacred statue in the country... 

The Emerald Buddha known as Prakaew Morakot is considered one of the most sacred and revered Buddha statues in Thailand

According to legend, the statue was created in India in 43 BC from a single block of jade. It is said to have been transported to Sri Lanka, where it was worshipped for more than six centuries, before being taken to the Kingdom of Lanna in northern Thailand in 1434 

Over the following centuries, the statue was moved several times due to wars and conflicts between kingdoms. It was finally placed in Bangkok in 1784, when King Rama I founded Bangkok as the capital of Thailand.

The statue has been housed in the royal temple of Wat Phra Kaew, part of the Grand Palace complex in Bangkok, since that time. The statue is dressed in gold robes, which are changed three times a year to correspond to the three seasons of the country; summer, green and dry. The hot season is from March to May, the green season from June to October and the dry season from November to February.

The changing of the habit of the Prakaew Morakot Buddha statue takes place three times a year, on the occasion of three important events in the Buddhist calendar:

1. At the beginning of the summer season, in April.
2. In the middle of the green season, in July.
3. At the beginning of the dry season, in November.

(Source: National Tourist Board of Thailand)

As the crowds at the Grand Palais have become what they are, all the photos I present to you today are photos taken in order to avoid all these onlookers...

It is mainly roofs, ceilings, cornices, gables, that I invite you to discover.

In fact, I really like the construction details of this great palace and this excessive abundance of unruly tourists has finally pushed me to find even more, interesting angles.

When we say that this Grand Palais is splendid, just look up and you will quickly realize the beauty of the architecture.