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2007-07-13

Guide to the Grand Palace





When King Rama I took the throne as the first monarch of the Chakri Dynasty in 1781, he moved his capital from Thonburi to the other bank. He then ordered the construction of the Royal Grand Palace as the centre of the new city.
Inside the Royal Grand Palace are the Maha Monthien group of buildings, the Throne Halls, and other palaces and buildings. These have been renovated, refurbished, repaired, extended and added to continually as appropriate to every reign since then.
Chakri Throne Hall: Hybrid Thai-European architecture built in the reign of King Rama V with the throne hall itself in European style and the roof in a Thai throne hall style.
Chakrapatpiman Throne Hall: The chief throne hall of the Monthien group, and the early Chakri kings mostly stayed in this throne hall.
Dusit Throne Hall: Cruciform style built in the reign of King Rama I. Inside is a Throne decorated in pearl and Phratanratchabanjathorn, a couch of King Rama I.

the Temple of the Emerald Buddha



Wat Phrasrirattana Sasadaram (Wat Phra Kaeo), or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, situated within the Grand Palace, near Sanam Luang, is a sacred symbol of the Rattanakosin, or Bangkok, Dyansty and the most important temple in realm. It was built by King Rama I, the founder of the Chakri Dynasty, at the same time as the Grand Palace in 1782, when he established Bangkok as his capital, in order to serve as the palace chapel, in which traditional royal ceremonies would be conducted. It thus has a sanctuary for the performance of Buddhist rites, but no residences for monks.
The temple is richly endowed with fine art and architecture. The Emerald Buddha image is enshrined in the phra ubosot, the exterior walls of which are covered with beautiful designs in gold leaf and glass, while the interior walls bear murals depicting the life of Buddha and other subjects.

The phra mondop, or library, is set on a high base surmounted by a stepped pyramid. Inside is reserved a chest containing the Tripitaka, the Buddhist sacred scripture.
The Royal Pantheon, or Prasat Thepbidon, has a high spire. Inside are enshrined statures of the eight previous kings of the Chakri Dynasty.
Next to phra mondop is a miniature replica of Angor Wat, which King Rama IV had constructed.
The walls of the cloister are decorated with murals showing scenes from the Ramakian, the Thai version of the Ramayana. These were originally painted during the reign of King Rama I and have been restored several times.http://www.dhammathai.org/watthai/bangkok/eng/watphrakaew_e.php

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