The Grand Palace compound consists of several
Thai-style buildings with highly decorative architectural
details. The most prominent building is the Dusit Mahaprasat,
which is considered one of the most splendid examples of
Thai-style architecture.
The Grand Palace was built in 1782 during
the reign of King Rama I when he decided to establish Bangkok
as the capital of Siam. It has been used as the official
royal residence by the Chakri monarchs up until the reign
of King Rama VIII. The present King resides at nearby Chitrlada
Palace. The Grand Palace is now a museum, maintained by
the Royal Household Bureau. The palace houses several important
museums, including the Weapon Museum, the Royal Thai Decorations
and Coin Pavilion and the Museum of Fine Arts.
Over the two centuries since its establishment,
the Grand Palace has been renovated and developed in line
with external influences. You will see that some buildings,
like the Chakri Mahaprasat Hall, which was built during
the reign of King Rama V, resemble western building with
Thai-style roof tops. Due to its grandeur and significance,
the Grand Palace has become an all-time top tourist attraction
for visitors to Thailand.
The Grand Palace is the only palace where
pure Thai architecture can still be seen and it's the only
palace built in the early Rattanakosin period. During the
reign of King Rama II and King Rama III, there was no palace
construction as the era was marked by economic revival after
a long period of war.
When it came to the reign of King Rama IV,
the tradition of building palaces to accommodate the royals
on visits to the provinces was revived. Palaces built during
the reign of King Rama IV display a mixture of Thai, Chinese
and Western influence. The most important palace built during
this reign is the Phra Nakhon Khiri summer palace in Phetchaburi
province.
King Rama V set up Baan Puen Palace for
visits upcountry and for political reasons. Paying visits
to remote areas of the country is an old tradition among
the Thai kings.
During the reign of King Rama V, several
important palaces were erected. Most prominent among them
are the Dusit Palace in Bangkok, Vimanmek Palace in Ko Sichang
of Chonburi, Bang Pa-in Summer Palace in Ayutthaya and Baan
Puen Palace in Phetchaburi. Today, each of these palaces
is an important local attraction for tourists.
Vimanmek Palace was subsequently relocated
from Ko Sichang in Chonburi to the compound of Dusit Palace.
Known as the world's largest golden teak wood building,
the three-storey palace is as much a work of art as the
treasures it holds within.
The palace is filled with crystal, jewelry
and other objects from Europe, as well as photographs and
gifts presented to the Royal Family from around the world.
It is said that King Rama V made Vimanmek Palace his permanent
residence during the latter part of his life.
Within the same compound is the Abhisek
Dusit Throne Hall, a one storey teak building built during
the reign of King Rama V. It is now Thailand's first handicraft
museum, showcasing a collection of handicraft masterpieces
including nielloware, Thai silk, handbags and so on.
Many other interesting palaces can be found
outside Bangkok. Marukkhathayawan Palace situated between
Cha-am and Hua Hin, built during the reign of King Rama
VI, was once used as a summertime vocational accommodation.
The palace is noted for its three-storey wooden pavilions
facing the sea and is referred to as the 'palace of love
and hope.' It is now an important tourist attraction in
that region.
Klai Kangwon Palace in Prachuab Khiri Khan
is still used by the present monarch but occasionally opens
to the public when there are no royals on the premises.
This is exactly the case for other vocational palaces such
as Phu Ping Rachanives Palace in Chiang Mai, Phuphan Rachanives
in Sakhon Nakhon and Taksin Rachanives in Narathiwat.
