Page 15 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Bangkok

Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo ❮❮ 13

Aphonphimok
Wat Phra Kaeo
5 7
Pavilion
Serving as the
royal chapel of the Grand This small but attractive
Palace, this complex wooden pavilion (right)
(below) impresses with was built by Rama IV
its slender chedis (stupas), (r.1851–68) as a royal
glittering mosaics, and chang ing room prior to
the fearsome yaksha giving audiences in the
(giants) by the gates. The adjacent Dusit Throne
wat (temple) is Thailand’s Hall. Its multi-tiered roof
holiest shrine, though and gold decoration are
there are no resident hallmarks of traditional
monks here (see pp14–15). Thai architecture.
Wat Phra Kaeo
9
Museum
This museum displays a
treasure trove of arti facts
salvaged from restoration
of the palace, including
former cost umes of the
Emerald Buddha (see p14).
Queen Sirikit
0
Museum of
Textiles
The former Royal Treasury
building, constructed
from white Italian
marble, now houses this
museum. On display is
ceremonial and modern
royal attire, with an
emphasis on Thai silk
garments, plus pieces
from elsewhere in Asia.
Phaisan Thaksin Hall
6 ENTERING AND
This hall is not open to the public and is used
only for coronations. It contains the Coronation Chair GETTING AROUND
and the tutelary deity, Phra Siam Thewathirat. THE COMPLEX
All visitors enter by the
8 Road, where anyone
9 7 0 2 5 Siwalai gate on Na Phra Lan
Gardens
These well-kept, inappropriately dressed
picturesque gardens is required to borrow
clothes. At the ticket
were once used for office it is possible to
official receptions. Within rent an audio-tape or
the gardens are the Phra hire a guide to explain
Buddha Ratana Sathan, the significance of the
built as a personal sights. Visitors usually
chapel by Rama IV (see walk clockwise around
p40), and Boromphiman Wat Phra Kaeo before
Mansion, built by Rama V exploring the rest of
(see p40) for the Crown the Grand Palace. Allow
1 4 3 8 6 Prince. It now serves about two hours to walk
Map of the Grand Palace as a guesthouse for around the site.
and Wat Phra Kaeo visiting digni taries.

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