[Seth] Grand Palace in Bangkok

For the past months as we visited other Buddhist temples and saw statues of Buddhas, they were often described as being in the Thai-style, more decorated and lavish, or not.  Today on the middle day of Songkran (the three-day long Thai New Year celebration) and we decided to visit the Grand Palace and environs in Bangkok and see for ourselves some Thai-style temples.

To get to the Palace, we took a boat up the Chao Praya river.  It was inexpensive but crowded and standing room only.  As it turns out, the Grand Palace is a big part of the Songkran celebration so many, many, many people were on their way to visit the Palace with us.  And while some of them were tourists, it was mainly Thai visitors many who were dressed up for the festivities (oddly, it was either in formal traditional Thai clothing or rain gear and armed with a squirt gun -- and sometimes both).

Dressed up, face sparkles and all -- no squirt gun though

After a number of stops, we got off and followed the crowds to the Grand Palace.  The Grand Palace is the official residence of the King of Siam and also contains the holiest temple in Thailand, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

On our way to the Grand Palace

Guard at the gates.

When you visit the Grand Palace, you need to wear the correct attire.  No shorts or sandals for men.  Women need to cover their shoulder and wear cannot wear flip flops.  So, as Cannon noted, he was forced to wear pants on one of the hottest days on our trip (97 degrees Fahrenheit).  So by the time we got inside with everyone else we were tired, hot and feeling crowded, so it is a good thing that the complex was spectacular.

Temple of the Emerald Buddha

Golden Stupa

The Phra Thinang Chakri Maha Prasat (throne hall) was designed by two Englishman and has both Thai and Western architectural features.

Roofline of Phra Thinang Dusit Maha Prasat (another throne hall)