Royal Grand Palace and Temple of Emerald Buddha

Temple of Emerald Buddha, at Royal Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand

Whenever foreigners ask me where the most popular attraction in Bangkok is, the first place popping up in my head is The Temple of Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew) and The Grand Palace. I think The Emerald Buddha Temple and The Grand Palace is a spectacular place where it reveals the history of Thailand. In addition, the unique beautiful architectures of this whole area also show the beliefs, characters and tradition of Thai people.

Then the following question from the tourists is how they could get there. The easiest way and saving time is, of course, to take a taxi or Tuk Tuk, a motorized three-wheeled vehicle. Just a warning for taking a taxi, tourists should request the taxi drivers turn on the meter. Taking a Tuk Tuk can be an interesting choice because it can provide a sense of adventure, but remember that Tuk Tuk doesn’t have the meter fare. The driver will give the tourists an approximately price, so making sure that they won’t take advantage by quoting an unfair price, taking you to the wrong direction or even offering you to go somewhere else instead.

Anyway, one of enjoyable routes to go there, The Grand Palace, is to take a BTS skytrain to Saphan Taksin Station. After that, take a Chao Phraya Express Boat at Sathorn Pier to get to Tha Chang Pier. Then walk only a few minutes to The Grand Palace.

 
Prohibited outfits to get in Royal Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha Temple

The place to change clothes at the front area

I also advised the tourists to wear proper clothes when visiting the palace compound, otherwise the tourists might not be allowed to get in.  Wearing short pants, legging pants, short skirt, sleeveless shirt and see-through clothes is inappropriate. Despite wearing long pants or jeans, it shouldn’t be a ripped jeans or holey jeans. The pants should cover the ankle and wearing slippers or sandals is improper.

However, if the tourists are unprepared for the clothes, there will be sarongs for rent at the entrance.

The opening time is around 8:30 am. – 3:30 pm, pretty early for closing time. The admission fee for foreigners is now 500 Baht per person, included The Royal Regalia Museum and Museum of The Emerald Buddha Temple. Moreover, the ticket, within 7 days, can also be used to get into Vimanmek Mansion (Golden Teakwood Mansion) in Dusit District.

A noodle restaurant at Tha Chang, Bangkok

A little suggestion for visiting The Emerald Buddha Temple and The Grand Palace is to get there early to avoid crowded hours. Having lunch at Tha Chang Pier is a good choice because the food price is reasonable. Then, if not to tired, walk down south to visit The Temple of Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho) or get on a ferry from Tha Tien Pier to The Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun), just across  Chao Phraya River.