A truly lovely place.

OK, get ready for heat, I mean serious HEAT as you walk around. Coupled with the fact that required dress is modest and very little skin allowed, drink up before you go becasue you will sweat buckets. No water for sale within the complex and only jiuces at the outer gate. Be repectful with how you act and when you photograph and be ready to jump in and out of your shoes.

By any standards; Vienna, Paris, Madrid, or around Asia, this is one of the must see architechtural sites in the world. Local Siamese style mixed with Indian, Chinese and a bit of colonial in a wonderful mix of colors and textures. The wall paintings, statues and inner temples are an easy walk and the crowds in the morning hours are far smaller than aound most palace complexes worldwide. If you can hit it on a day when the King pays a visit, you can also see the jade Buda in its golden outfits. The colors especially are almost too vibrant to beleive yet the overall effect is still very tasteful. Hire a guide for a few hours to give a bit of insight.

Enjoy!

We booked a guided tour which picked us up at the hotel (900 Baht). Dont bother, just go by river taxi to the Grand Palace and by yourself a ticket (250 Baht) and a guide book. It is worth seeing, just wandering around yourself will suffice, allowing you to rest when you want. It also means you don't get the obligatory factory tour on the way home!!

This is a beautiful setting. Very busy. A freelancing Thai tour guide approached us at the gate and gave us a tour...for some bahts, not too much! She was very business like, but pleasant. She spoke good english, but I had a hard time understanding her. My husband had better luck. She didn't add much to our experience, except that she efficiently guided us through the entrance gates and brought umbrellas.

I would suggest just wandering on your own with a guide book and taking time to admire the architecture and the statues, etc. Bring an umbrella for shade, and water of course.

It went by very fast. We didn't spend more than an hour or so, would have stayed longer, but it was just too hot!

An 1/2 day tour of the Grand Palace with Tour East Thailand was included with our airfare/hotel package. The Palace grounds are easy enough to get to without being part of a tour. However, the easy van transportation to and from our hotel and our wonderful guide "Kit" made the grounds come alive for our family of four. The buildings are each of varying significance and architecture and held rich stories and beautiful photo opportunities.

We encountered very few crowds/tourists on a Monday a.m. It was hot, even at the end of December, but there was a little concession building selling water, sodas & snacks close to the King's residence.

Respectful attire is required. While the front ticket guards allowed school girls in with dresses, all tourists were required to have shirt sleeves and covered ankles. My senior citizen Mother had capri style pants on and was required to borrow a sarong to cover her lower legs. It was pretty & clean. She was a good sport about it, however, more obnoxious visitors were causing a stink by pointing out people who were allowed in not fully covered. Just be respectful of the Buddhist ways and wear long pants and shirt sleeves. The Temple of the Emerald Buddha is very sacred to them.

For families...I think younger kids would find enough steps, passageways & open grounds to expend some extra energy while adults enjoy the history & beauty. Unless they start climbing over guard rails or yelling, this is a family friendly place. Our 14 year old son enjoyed touring the Grand Palace. A visiting group of teenaged school kids from eastern Thailand asked him questions in English & took pictures with their new "American friend."

While in Bangkok, the Grand Palace complex is a must-see!