The Grand Palace

To get to the Grand Palace, you can use the Chao Phraya Express Boat from Sathorn Pier (which is not far from Saphan Taksin BTS station) to Tha Tien Pier or Ta Chang Pier for THB15 and then walk to the Grand Palace. The Grand Palace has a very large complex area and inside there is also Wat Phra Kaew (Wat is Temple in English) which is home to the Emerald Buddha, one of the oldest and most famous in the world. The Emerald Buddha is a 66 cm tall sacred Buddha statue made in the 14th century. It can only be touched by His Majesty the King of Thailand. In one year there are three ceremonies to change the Emerald Buddha's clothes; namely in summer, winter and rainy season. This procession basically aims to ask for good luck for Thailand in every season from the Buddha (according to Thai people's beliefs). Within the Grand Palace complex there is also a residence for the Thai royal family, but it is currently not occupied. The king and his family only visited and did not occupy the palace. The Grand Palace area opens at 08.00 and closes at 16.30 local time. This entire area can be visited in approximately 90 minutes and you must wear modest clothing if you want to visit the Grand Palace. Polite clothing means not wearing shorts and sandals when entering the Grand Palace area. But don't worry because free trousers/clothes are available for borrowing with a deposit of THB200 and the entire amount will be returned when you return the borrowed trousers/clothes. The entrance ticket price to the Grand Palace is THB 500 and this ticket can be kept by holders and used for free entry when visiting Vimanmek Mansion.