The "must see" sight in Bangkok, The Grand Palace was started in 1782 and was the official residence of the King of Siam until 1946 after the mysterious death of King Rama VIII, the older brother of the current king-Rama IX. The palace was walking distance from our hotel and we spent a considerable amount of time here. I burned through an entire-36 exposure roll of film and untold digital pictures. There is a dress code, so no matter how hot it is (and lord does it get hot), no shorts.
An excellent source of info on this vast complex can be found at thailandforvisitors.com
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Top Left: Stone guardian of Wat Phra Kaew. A giant mythological demon called a yak. Top Right: Wat Phra Kaew. The Royal Pantheon can be seen in the background. Left: One of the many small pavilians Bottom Left: Gandharara Buddha Chapel Below Right: The Mondop (housing Bhuddist cannons) and Royal Pantheon
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Above: Views of the many rooftops and chedi (towers) in the palace. Left: A detailed and large scale model of Angkor Wat in the foreground. The Wiharn (prayer hall) Yod is in the background. Below: Demons surrounding the one of the guilded chedi, including the half bird-half man, kinnorn. |
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Right: Prasat Phra Debidorn Below Left: Some smaller guilded chedi. Below
Right: I never asked, but this appears to be a place where you can
buy and leave offerings. |
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Above left: A porcelain covered prang (Spire). Demons "supporting" one of the guilded chedi. |
All photos on this page are originals by & copyrighted by Daren Willden, unless otherwise stated. All rights reserved.