The Grand Palace in Bangkok is the city's most famous sight, a walled complex of gilded spires, mirrored tiles and royal halls on the bank of the Chao Phraya River. It includes Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the most sacred temple in Thailand. Since the MRT Blue Line reached the old town, getting to the Grand Palace has become much easier. This guide covers the station, tickets, the strict dress code and how to plan your time.
Why visit the Grand Palace
King Rama I founded the palace in 1782, when he moved the capital across the river and established Bangkok. It was the official residence of the kings of Siam for generations and is still used for royal ceremonies and state occasions, although the king does not live there today.
The complex is a dense mix of styles. Traditional Thai temple buildings stand beside halls with European-style facades topped with Thai roofs, a reflection of the era when Siam was modernising while keeping its independence. The detail is overwhelming in the best sense: gold leaf, glass mosaics, painted murals and guardian statues on every surface.
Getting to the Grand Palace by MRT
The nearest station is Sanam Chai on the MRT Blue Line, itself worth a look for its ornate, palace-style interior. From the station it is a walk of roughly 10 to 15 minutes north to the palace entrance on Na Phra Lan Road, past the walls of Wat Pho. Follow the signs or a map app, and allow extra time in the heat.
You can also arrive by river. Chao Phraya Express Boats stop at Tha Chang pier, a short walk from the entrance, which makes a pleasant way to arrive from hotels along the river.
Grand Palace tickets and dress code
Foreign visitors pay an admission fee, bought at the ticket office inside the grounds. The ticket includes Wat Phra Kaew and some other sites, which can change, so check the official Grand Palace website before you go for prices, opening hours and closures. The palace is sometimes closed at short notice for royal ceremonies.
The dress code is strict and enforced at the gate:
- Shoulders must be covered; no sleeveless tops.
- Legs must be covered; wear long trousers or a long skirt, not shorts.
- Avoid tight, see-through or ripped clothing.
If you are turned away, clothing is available to buy or borrow nearby, but it is easier to dress correctly from the start.
Avoiding common scams
A classic Bangkok scam starts outside the palace walls, when a friendly stranger tells you the Grand Palace is closed today and offers a tuk-tuk tour instead, which ends at a gem or tailor shop. Ignore anyone who says this and go straight to the official entrance to check for yourself.
Best time to visit the Grand Palace
Go as early as possible, right at opening. By late morning the tour groups arrive in force and the heat on the open courtyards is intense. The cooler, drier months from around November to February are the most comfortable, but also the busiest. Allow two to three hours, and carry water, a hat and sun protection.
Highlights inside the Grand Palace
Wat Phra Kaew and the Emerald Buddha
The small, revered statue of the Emerald Buddha, carved from green stone, sits high on a golden altar in the ordination hall. Its robes are changed in a royal ceremony with the seasons. Remove your shoes, sit with your feet pointing away from the statue, and note that photography inside the hall is not allowed.
The Ramakien murals
The cloister walls around Wat Phra Kaew are painted with scenes from the Ramakien, the Thai version of the Ramayana epic.
Chakri Maha Prasat
This grand throne hall, built in the late 19th century, combines a European-style body with tiered Thai spires.
The golden chedi and guardian giants
Phra Si Rattana Chedi glitters with gold tiles, and tall yaksha giants stand guard at the temple gates.
Nearby on the same stop
Sanam Chai is a gateway to the old town. Wat Pho, home of the Reclining Buddha, is right next door and an easy pairing. Museum Siam, a museum about Thai identity, sits by the station. A short ferry across the river from Tha Tien pier takes you to Wat Arun, and the Bangkok National Museum and the flower market at Pak Khlong Talat are within reach.
For more around this stop, see the Grand Palace page on Around the Metro, or browse the whole city on the Bangkok metro map.