The Grand Palace in Bangkok is Thailand most popular tourist site for good reason it is stunning and reveals Thai history and culture.
Bangkok Grand Palace, the Thai royal family main residence, is a massive complex of royal residences, temples, pavilions, courtyards, and offices. The Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew), home to the famous Emerald Buddha, is the highlight.
You must see the Grand Palace in Bangkok, even if you don’t enjoy popular tourist destinations. This lavish palace and temple is Thailand’s crown jewel, so don’t miss it on your Bangkok agenda.
There are several things you should know before visiting the Grand Palace and some common scams to avoid stress and enjoy your stay. This article will cover all you need to know about visiting the Grand Palace and avoiding frauds.
Essential Information for Visiting The Grand Palace, Bangkok
Location: The Grand Palace situated at Na Phra Lan Road, Phranakorn, Bangkok 10200. The complex is so large that finding the entrance, which has changed from Viset Chaisri gate to Mani Noppharat, might be challenging.
Gate. Go to the right entrance to avoid scams.
Opening Hours: The Grand Palace is open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, with the last admittance at 3:30 pm. The palace may close for royal events and holidays. Check the official website calendar before visiting to avoid disappointment or the ‘closed today’ scam.
Tickets and Entrance Fee: Thais can enter the Grand Palace for free with ID. International visitors pay 500 Baht (US$14/£11). Purchase tickets at the door or online on the official website. It’s a scam if someone suggests you need a ticket to access the complex.
Dress Code: Grand Palace has a dress code because it’s a royal palace and religious site. Ladies and gentlemen must cover their shoulders and legs. Dress code details here.
Top Tours: A guided trip, which usually visits adjacent temples like Wat Pho and Wat Arun, is the best way to avoid scams and have the finest experience. Top-rated Grand Palace tours.
Private: Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Grand Palace Private Tour with Hotel Pickup
Group: Small-group walking tour of Grand Palace, Temples, and Markets
The Grand Palace – A Quick History
The Grand Palace in Bangkok is Thailand’s most important royal historical and religious landmark today. The monarchy is significant to Thais, therefore visiting the Grand Palace is key to understanding Thai culture.
After Sukhothai and Ayutthaya fell, Rattanakosin in Bangkok became the capital of Siam in 1782 under King Rama I, the first king of the Chakri dynasty, which still controls today.
The new capital’s royal apartments and administrative offices were in the Grand Palace compound. King Rama IV and V brought Western ideas, and King Rama IX modernized the palace.
Thailand is the only country in the region not colonized by Europeans, mostly due to the monarchy. From 1782 to 1932, the Grand Palace was the country’s administrative and ecclesiastical capital under absolute monarchy. Thailand established a constitutional monarchy in 1932, opening the palace to the public.
Although the Thai royal family moved out in 1925, the Grand Palace remains their official residence. Today, it hosts government offices, royal ceremonies, and official occasions and is Thailand’s most popular tourist attraction, with over 8 million tourists annually.
The Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew)
The Grand Palace is stunning, but Wat Phra Kaew—the Temple of the Emerald Buddha—is unforgettable. This ornate Buddhist temple structure is a royal chapel in the Grand Palace complex and houses Thailand’s most valuable treasure, the Emerald Buddha.
The Emerald Buddha’s history is fascinating. Myths, folklore, and competing stories surround its origins. Originating in 43 BC in India, it has been in Sri Lanka, Burma, Cambodia, and Laos.
The Emerald Buddha was concealed in Northern Thailand after the Thais seized Angkor Wat in 1432. Chiang Rai’s Wat Pa Yia chedi was struck by lightning in 1434, revealing the Emerald Buddha. It later resided in Lampang’s Wat Phra Kaeo Don Tao and Chiang Mai’s Wat Chedi Luang before being moved to Laos for almost 200 years.
General Chao Phraya Chakri (later Rama I) returned the Emerald Buddha to Siam in 1779. He formed Chakri, moved the capital, and erected Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew. The 1785-consecrated temple is Thailand’s national treasure.
The Emerald Buddha is made of jade or jasper, yet he looks amazing seated on a golden altar with golden garments that the King changes at the start of Thailand’s three seasons.
All across the temple is a stunning display of gold and mosaics with meticulous workmanship. Exquisite mirror and glass mosaics cover every surface, and golden stupas tower to the sky.
The temple includes hundreds of mythical animals, including golden half-animal half-human celestial beings, enormous Yakshas guarding the entrance, cheeky Hanuman monkeys holding up the gilded stupas, five-headed Naga snakes slithering down stair rails, and golden Garudas lining the walls A guide to explain everything helps!
The beautifully painted, gold-embossed murals on the temple walls show the Buddha’s life and path to enlightenment, and the courtyard murals recount the story of the Ramakian, the Thai version of the Ramayana.
The temple is absolutely pouring with gold, shimmering mosaics, and fantastic legendary creatures that create a bright, mesmerizing effect. My images don’t do it justice; it has to be seen to be believed!
Exploring the Grand Palace Complex
You’ll enter the Grand Palace through the outer court and visit Wat Phra Kaew (the Temple of the Emerald Buddha) first, but that’s just a small section of this 218,000-square-meter complex. It’s too much to cover in this blog, but here are some other highlights you’ll see as you stroll through:
After entering the complex by the Mani Noppharat Gate, you’ll proceed through the outer court with government ministries and royal offices to the Chapel Royal – Wat Phra Kaew.
The Royal Pantheon, which houses life-sized statues of all Chakri Dynasty rulers, Phra Mondop, and Phra Sri Rattana Chedi glittering golden stupa are all amazing buildings in this neighborhood.
After the temple, you’ll enter the middle court and past Rama’s Phra Maha Monthien structures. Thai royal homes and buildings used for royal rituals are not open to the public.
The spectacular Chakri Maha Prasad Throne Hall, erected by Rama V in the 19th century mixing Western and traditional Thai architecture, is still in use next to these buildings.
Hidden behind this is the intriguing inner court. The king’s harem of consorts and princesses lived in this most private part of the palace.
Instead, keep walking and you’ll see King Rama I’s Dusit Maha Prasad Throne Hall and the little Abhorn Bimok Pavilion, another remarkable work of architecture.
You’ll then return to the outer court, where there’s a cafe and two museums: the Temple of the Emerald Buddha Museum and the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles. Both are worth visiting if you have time and admission is provided.
Tips For Planning Your Visit and Avoiding the Scams
Bangkok’s Grand Palace is a stunning, ornate sight that you can’t miss, but it gets hot, congested, and full of scammers and touts. You should plan and prepare for your visit to have the best experience.
More ideas to help you organize your travel and avoid scams:
How to Get to The Grand Palace
The Grand Palace lies on Rattanakosin island in old Bangkok along the Chao Phraya River. You should plan your route to approach Mani Noppharat Gate. Once inside, you should be safe from outside scammers.
Many methods to get there:
By Taxi or Grab: Taxis are the fastest method to reach the Grand Palace, but be sure to specify which entrance you want and refuse to be transported elsewhere. To avoid being overcharged, have the driver utilize the meter or agree on a fare. For a safer, cheaper, and easier ride, use Grab.
By Boat: The Chao Phraya River is a picturesque and economical way to travel in Bangkok. Take the Chao Phraya Express Boat (orange flag) or the more roomy Chao Phraya Tourist Boat (blue flag) from Phra Athit pier in Banglamphu or Khao San Road to Tha Chang Pier, a short walk from the Grand Palace gate.
By BTS and Ferry: The BTS Skytrain to Saphan Taksin Station and a Chao Phraya Express Boat to Tha Chang Pier are options for those staying in modern Bangkok like Sukhumvit. This way, you can avoid traffic and enjoy the river’s vistas and breeze.
By Bus: Numerous local busses service the Grand Palace area. Many buses, including 1, 25, 44, 47, and 82, can take you near the palace. Bangkok traffic makes for a packed and delayed ride.
By Guided Tour: Some guided excursions, like this one, pick you up from your hotel and take you to the Grand Palace, but cheaper ones require you to find a meeting location.
Walking: You may walk to the Grand Palace from surrounding hotels or Khao San Road. The 1.5-km ride takes 20 minutes, but beware of tuk-tuk drivers who may try to defraud you.
Hotels Near The Grand Palace
Many hotels near the Grand Palace offer river and temple views and fit all budgets! Staying here puts you in the center of old Bangkok and near Wat Arun and Wat Pho.
Only 20 minutes from the Grand Palace, Banglamphu is another popular hotel area. The famous Khao San Road is too raucous to sleep on, but the adjacent streets have several wonderful boutique hotels and hostels.
The best Grand Palace hotels are:
Luxe: Upmarket 4-star hotel has river-view suites, hot tubs, and a terrace restaurant.
Boutique: Modern boutique hotel on the riverfront with beautiful views of Wat Arun. Get a river view room to enjoy the sights from your bed!
Mid Range: This spacious, recently renovated heritage hotel in old Bangkok has a pool and roof patio and is walking distance to the palace.
Budget: offer dorm beds, individual rooms, and a palace-view terrace 200 meters from Wat Pho.
Visit my Bangkok guide to the finest neighborhoods and hotels for all budgets for more information.
The Best Time to Visit the Grand Palace
Bangkok is hot and humid, so to visit the Grand Palace between November to February is recommended due to cooler and drier weather. However, peak tourist season means more crowding.
I recommend visiting the Grand Palace early on a weekday to avoid crowds and enjoy cooler weather. The palace opens at 8:30 am and most tour groups arrive after 9.30 am, so arrive early. Try to avoid weekends and holidays when the palace is busier.
Top Tip: Check the official website calendar to make sure the palace isn’t closed for royal activities on your visit!
The Dress Code for the Grand Palace
The Grand Palace features Thailand’s strictest royal and religious clothing requirement. Cover and dress modestly, men and women. No shorts, three-quarter pants, micro skirts, sleeveless shirts, shredded or exposing apparel, or tight pants.
To stay cool in the heat while following the dress code, light-weight baggy elephant pants and a T-shirt are popular.
This large complex requires a lot of walking, so wear comfortable shoes. Wear anything easy to remove to visit the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, but don’t forget your socks since you can go barefoot.
Most attractions are outside, and Bangkok’s sun is fierce, so carry sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, water, an umbrella, and a fan to stay cool and hydrated.
I read that you can rent a sarong to cover yourself, but I’ve been twice and never seen this. The official booklet also advises you can’t put scarves over sleeveless tops. There are various stores selling garments outside the palace, but prices are expensive and it makes you a target for scammers, so arrive dressed correctly to guarantee a smooth visit.
The palace also prohibits selfie sticks, drones, tripods, gimbals, live streaming, professional photography, luggage/large bags, and smoking.
Guides and Tours
The royal complex has so much to see that it can be overwhelming and hard to understand.
You’ll appreciate the Grand Palace better if you have a native guide to explain the murals and mythological animals.
Palace audio guides cost 200 baht and are in numerous languages. To deposit, bring your passport. Guided tours are also available.
Be careful when hiring a guide to help you understand and appreciate this stunning sight. People will volunteer to be your guide outside the palace, but I recommend taking a guided tour or hiring a guide on Get Your Guide or Viator where you can read ratings.
Arriving at the palace with a guide helps you get there, avoid scammers outside, and appreciate all the great things inside!
Group excursions are cheaper, but if your money allows, I prefer a private tour to go at your own pace and avoid crowds.
Common Scams Outside The Grand Palace
There are a large number of touts and con artists who wait around outside of the Grand Palace in the hope of luring people away from the palace and into a scam. This is because the Grand Palace is the most popular tourist site in Bangkok, which attracts a large number of tourists.
When people are taken to another attraction, such as a tailor, tea store, or gem shop, they are typically victims of common scams. By going to their friend’s shop or taking an exorbitant boat or tuk tuk tour, the tuk tuk drivers and scammers will receive a commission.
When you go to the Grand Palace in Bangkok for the first time, it is a good idea to conduct some research on how to get there and the usual scams that occur outside. This will help you avoid falling victim to any of these scams yourself.
To assist you in avoiding falling victim to the frauds, here are some top tips:
Ignore anyone who says the Grand Palace is closed today
Outside, con artists and tuk tuk drivers will say that the castle is closed because of a royal event or function. Sometimes, tuk tuk drivers will drop off tourists at the wrong door on purpose, making you think the palace is closed when it’s not. It’s just the wrong entrance!
As a general rule, don’t believe anyone who says they saw the Grand Palace closed today. The goal is to get you to take a tuk tuk tour to see other sights, which usually leads to an expensive shop, a tailor, or even the start of a gem scam.
Before you go, check the online schedule to make sure the palace is open. If someone tries to scam you, just ignore them and keep walking confidently toward the Grand Palace.
Avoid taking a tuk tuk
These famous three-wheelers are fun to ride, but they are also a tourist trap. You need to know how much the trip costs and bargain hard before getting on to get a good price. If you don’t, you’ll probably get ripped off and charged too much, or even taken to a different place.
Tourists are often dropped off at the wrong door to the palace, which is where the “closed today” scam starts, or they are taken to an expensive store or somewhere they don’t want to go. You can avoid this by calling a taxi with the Grab app, taking the bus, or going on a guided trip to get to the palace.
If you really want to go on a crazy tuk tuk ride, make sure you book a real tour online and read reviews first!
Arrive dressed appropriately and buy your ticket online
At the Grand Palace, as in many temples, religious sites, and places connected to the Thai royal family, guests must follow strict dress codes for both men and women. Shoulders and legs must be covered well below the knees.
It is best to find out what the palace’s dress code is before going there so that you don’t get ripped off or be forced to go to an expensive store to buy clothes to cover up. When you’re not dressed properly, it’s easy for scammers to see that you’re a stranger who doesn’t know what’s going on and might fall for a trick.
Some con artists may also say that you can’t get inside without buying a ticket first. Not true. The ticket office is right inside the gate, and you can buy tickets there or online. Purchase a ticket outside of the venue without falling for a con.
Be cautious of overly friendly locals outside
Most Thais are kind and honest, and connecting with locals may be rewarding, but tourists should be cautious around the Grand Palace. Friendly folks who help without being ask may be scammer.
Use your intuition and common sense to discern if individuals are sincere. If something seems wrong or you suspect a fraud, kindly say you have somewhere to be or someone to meet and leave without a fight. Tourist police can be reach at 1155.
Bring plenty of water and cash
Bangkok’s heat and humidity can be difficult for cold-weather visitors, and the Grand Palace is a massive outdoor complex. Drink enough water to stay hydrated in the sun while exploring the palace and bring money for costs.
The palace now accepts cards, however many Bangkok restaurants, stores, transport, and attractions don’t and charge 3–5% more. Always carry cash in Thailand—don’t rely on cards!
Nearby Attractions
The Grand Palace sits near Old Bangkok, so temples, museums, and markets are within walking distance.
Highlights you can easily combine with a Grand Palace visit:
Wat Pho: Wat Pho, a short walk from the Grand Palace, has a massive golden reclining Buddha, towering spires covered in intricate mosaics, and a traditional Thai massage school where you can relax after all the walking (at much higher prices than other Bangkok massage parlours.)
Wat Arun: Wat Arun, across the Chao Phraya River from Wat Pho, is one of Bangkok’s most famous sites with spectacular architecture and views. Enjoy the sights from waterside cafes and restaurants or take a ferry at Tha Tian to Wat Arun. Sunset is most atmospheric.
Bangkok National Museum: This museum displays ancient Buddhist and Thai antiquities and royal antiques in 18th-century palace halls a short walk from the Grand Palace. Learn Thai history in air-conditioned comfort here!
Museum of Siam: A short walk from Wat Pho, this 19th-century museum has fascinating and interactive exhibits on Thai history and ‘what is Thainess.’
Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre: Watch a traditional Thai dance or cultural event at this adjacent old theater. Your Grand Palace ticket includes free Khon dance performances and a free transfer to the theater outside the palace.
Amulet Market and Flower Market: Within walking distance of the palace, the Amulet market sells precious Buddhist charms and the vibrant flower market is a sensory treat.
After you have finished touring the palace in the morning, I strongly suggest that you go to these other locations. The majority of guided tours will include a visit to the Grand Palace with visits to Wat Pho and Wat Arun as well. Take advantage of this opportunity.
Check out my selection of the finest things to see and do in Bangkok, as well as these nearby sites that are ideal for day trips from Bangkok, for further ideas and suggestions on other attractions and activities.
Nearby Restaurants
Immediately adjacent to the palace and Tha Maharaj, a brand-new riverbank complex that features restaurants and shopping, there are a multitude of dining establishments to choose from.
It is highly recommend that you go to the riverbank area close to Wat Pho if you are looking for something truly exceptional. There, you will find a number of eateries that offer breathtaking views of the river and Wat Arun.
It is recommend that you visit The Deck by Arun Residence for upscale Asian fusion cuisine that is accompanied by breathtaking views. Alternatively, you may unwind with a cup of coffee in the riverbank garden at ViVi the Coffee Place.
So is the Grand Palace in Bangkok worth visiting?
In spite of the heat, the crowds, and the con artists, the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha are both well worth visiting. Therefore, you should not let anything prevent you from seeing the most stunning sight in Thailand. If you do some research and make some preparations in advance, you should be able to avoid the con artists and have a pleasant experience.
FAQs
How can I book tickets for the Grand Palace Bangkok?
You can book tickets online in advance or purchase them at the official entrance.
What is included in a Grand Palace guided tour?
Guided tours usually include entry tickets, a professional guide, and visits to main highlights.
What is the best time to visit the Grand Palace Bangkok?
Morning hours (8:30 AM – 11:00 AM) are best to avoid crowds and the afternoon heat.
Why book Grand Palace tickets online?
Online booking ensures guaranteed entry, saves waiting time, and may offer discounts.