Bangkok · Palace and royal temple complex
Bangkok’s Grand Palace is a complex where you can visit royal halls and Wat Phra Kaew, home of the Emerald Buddha. The grounds bring together different forms of architecture and art, from golden buildings and Ramakien murals to Chakri Maha Prasat, a European-style building topped with a Thai roof.
If this is your first visit to a Thai royal palace and temple, look closely at the golden roofs, murals and hall decorations. The Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles is included with admission too. Some buildings remain in use for royal ceremonies, so not every interior is open to visitors.
Na Phra Lan Road, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok
Search for The Grand Palace on a map and go to the visitor entrance, Mani Noppharat Gate. If travelling by boat, Tha Chang Pier is an access option. A map pin may point to the centre of the complex, so show the entrance name as well if you arrive by car.
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Audio commentary is not available in Korean.
Official audio-guide information ↗One building to look for at the Grand Palace is Chakri Maha Prasat Hall. Its pointed Thai palace roof sits above European-style windows and columns. Look at the arched windows and decorative columns below, then up at the three-tiered Thai roof.
Commissioned by Rama V, the hall is used for royal ceremonies. You can see its exterior, but the throne room and other interiors are not always open to the public. Focus on the roof, windows and column details outside rather than expecting all the rooms to be accessible.
The cloisters around Wat Phra Kaew feature murals of the Thai epic Ramakien. Princes, monkey armies and giants fill the story, with small figures, palaces, forests and battle scenes densely painted across the walls.
After visiting the Emerald Buddha and golden buildings, walk along the mural gallery too. Look closely for small expressions, clothing details and scenes of forests and palaces. Along with the architecture, the paintings offer a look at a traditional Thai story.
The 500-baht foreign-visitor ticket includes entry to Wat Phra Kaew and the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles. Decide whether you want to see only the temple or include the museum in your visit.
An audio guide costs 200 baht extra and requires a passport or credit card as a deposit. Korean is not offered; available languages are English, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese and Thai.
At the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles inside the palace grounds, see royal garments displayed rather than only the clothing shown on the buildings outside. Galleries 3 and 4, ‘Royal Court Textiles of Siam’, feature clothing worn at coronations and other royal textiles. The exhibition is listed from 30 July 2024 through 30 April 2027.
Admission to the museum is included in the Grand Palace ticket, so no separate ticket is needed. Plan for its separate hours: 09:00–16:30, last admission at 15:30. Photography is not allowed in the galleries; large strollers, backpacks and umbrellas must be left outside. It is a good addition if you are curious about royal clothing after seeing the palace buildings.
Clothing such as sleeveless tops, short tops, see-through clothing, shorts and miniskirts is not allowed. Torn trousers, tight-fitting trousers and pyjamas are also restricted. Wear a top that covers your shoulders and long bottoms.
Online tickets cannot be refunded or changed to a different date or time. Buy after your travel plans are set and check your visit date once more before paying. Tickets for the day can also be purchased at the on-site ticket office.
Visitors enter the Grand Palace through Mani Noppharat Gate. Follow on-site directions if the entrance or viewing areas change for royal events or other reasons. Drones may not be flown over the palace.
No. The 500-baht ticket for foreign visitors includes the Grand Palace grounds, Wat Phra Kaew and the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles. They are covered by the same ticket.
Yes. Audio guides are available in English, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese and Thai; Korean is not listed. Rental costs 200 baht in addition to admission, and you need to leave a passport or credit card as a deposit.
Entry is restricted for shorts, miniskirts, sleeveless or short tops, sheer clothing, ripped trousers, tight trousers and pyjamas. Wear a top that covers your shoulders and long bottoms.
No. Some halls are still used for royal ceremonies, so not every interior is open. You can see the exterior of Chakri Maha Prasat, including its European-style windows and columns and Thai roof. The ticket also includes royal clothing displays at the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles.
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Sharing image credit: Jonashtand / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
