Gold and red temple buildings of Wat Phra Kaew at the Grand Palace under a blue sky.

Landmark · Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok

Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew

The walled royal city of the Chakri kings, home to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Thailand's most revered Buddha image

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Ambient sound · similar settingBuddhist temple bell tolling at Chōmei-ji

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Discover Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew

The Grand Palace is less a single building than a walled royal city. Its grounds cover about 218,000 square metres behind crenellated white walls on Rattanakosin Island, the historic core of Bangkok, and they hold throne halls, former residences, government offices and gardens laid out on the pattern of the old palaces of Sukhothai and Ayutthaya. The most photographed building, the Chakri Maha Prasat, sets a European-style hall beneath tiered Thai roofs and spires, a blend that marks the reign of King Chulalongkorn.

In the north-east corner of the compound stands Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. It has no resident monks; instead it serves as the royal chapel, a dense cluster of gilded chedis, mirrored pavilions, guardian giants and mural-lined cloisters. The small jade-green Buddha image in the ordination hall is dressed in a different costume for the hot, rainy and cool seasons, and the changing of these robes is a royal ceremony. The palace is still used for state occasions, so parts of it close at short notice.

Don’t miss

01The Emerald Buddha in the ordination hall of Wat Phra Kaew
02The golden Phra Si Rattana Chedi and the gilded spires of the royal chapel
03Mural cloisters illustrating the Ramakien, the Thai version of the Ramayana
04The Chakri Maha Prasat, with its European façade and Thai roofs
05Giant guardian figures (yaksha) at the temple gates
06The Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles within the palace grounds

History & culture

The story of Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew

After the fall of Ayutthaya in 1767 and a short period with Thonburi as capital, King Rama I, founder of the Chakri dynasty, moved the seat of government across the river and ordered construction of a new palace in May 1782. He installed the Emerald Buddha in the royal chapel he named Wat Phra Sri Rattanasasadaram, which is known to everyone as Wat Phra Kaew. Successive kings added halls and residences, and the Chakri Maha Prasat throne hall was completed in 1882.

The king, the court and the royal government were all based inside the walls until 1925. Since then the monarch has lived elsewhere in the city, but the Grand Palace remains the setting for coronations, royal funerals and other ceremonies, while much of the outer and middle courts and the temple are open to visitors. The inner court, once reserved for the royal women, is closed to the public.

Local life & traditions

For Thais the palace and the Emerald Buddha are objects of deep respect rather than simply sights, and you will see families and pilgrims making offerings of flowers, candles and incense in front of the ordination hall. Around the walls, the old riverside quarter of Tha Chang and Tha Tien has amulet sellers, dried-seafood shops and simple noodle stalls, and the open lawn of Sanam Luang to the north is used for royal ceremonies and public events.

Things to do

Experience it like a local

Most visitors spend two to three hours here, starting with Wat Phra Kaew before walking on through the palace courtyards past the Chakri Maha Prasat and the Dusit Maha Prasat throne hall. The ticket also covers the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles, which displays royal dress and Thai weaving. Many people combine the visit with Wat Pho, a short walk to the south, and a cross-river ferry to Wat Arun.

When to go

Bangkok's cool season, from roughly November to February, brings the most comfortable temperatures and the least rain, and is also the busiest time for visitors. The hot season peaks around April, and the rainy season runs from about mid-May to October, when afternoon downpours are common but rarely last all day. Arrive at opening time to avoid the worst of the heat and the tour-group crowds, and check the palace website before you go, as it closes for royal ceremonies.

Plan your visit

Verified information

Admission: 500 baht for foreign visitors, covering the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew and the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles; free for Thai nationals showing an ID card. Tickets are sold at the gate or online. Source: royalgrandpalace.th ↗
Opening hours: Open daily from 08:30; tickets are sold from 08:30 to 15:30. The site gives the closing time as 16:30 in some places and 15:30 in others, so allow for the earlier time. Source: royalgrandpalace.th ↗
Dress code: Modest dress is required. Sleeveless tops, short or see-through tops, short trousers, torn or tight trousers, miniskirts and sleepwear-style clothing are not allowed. Source: royalgrandpalace.th ↗
Getting there: Chao Phraya Express Boat to Tha Chang (N9) or Tha Tien (N8); or MRT Blue Line to Sanam Chai (Exit 1) and a short bus or walk. Source: royalgrandpalace.th ↗

Checked against the sources on 29 October 2026. Opening times and fees can change — confirm before you go.

Travel tips

Go at 08:30 when the gates open; by late morning the courtyards are crowded and very hot.
Dress for the rules before you leave your hotel: shoulders and knees covered.
Ignore strangers outside the walls who say the palace is closed and offer a tour elsewhere; check opening news on the official website instead.
Remove your shoes and do not point your feet at the Emerald Buddha inside the ordination hall, where photography is not allowed.
Carry water and a hat; there is little shade between buildings.

General guidance from our specialists, not official information.

Around Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew: food, markets & places to stay

Wat Pho and its reclining Buddha lie just south of the palace walls, and Wat Arun is a few minutes away by cross-river ferry from Tha Tien pier. The City Pillar Shrine, the Museum Siam, Sanam Luang and the National Museum are all within walking distance, and the backpacker streets around Khao San Road are about 20 minutes on foot to the north.