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Wat Phra Kaew Emerald Buddha

Thailand 2009: Day 10 – Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha

Date: Dec 23rd, 2009

My last day in Thailand.

Woke up, had breakfast at Dunkin Donuts and headed straight to MBK one last time as I had to pick up something my friend Jyothy Karat wanted from the Canon store. After saying goodbye to Kosin, I took a taxi (as advised) and headed for the Grand Palace which is located in ‘old Bangkok’.

Bangkok morning traffic
Morning traffic in Bangkok

Bangkok Chaopraya Technical collegeBangkok route to Grand PalaceBangkok route to Grand PalaceBangkok route to Grand PalaceBangkok route to Grand Palace

The taxi ride cost me around 100 baht (Rs. 130). It was noon by the time I got to the Grand Palace and it was scorching hot.

Grand Palace Bangkok ThailandThe place is obviously very popular with tourists. I quickly bought my ticket and went in to avoid the mad rush of tour groups thronging the place by the bus loads.

I won’t be detailing its history, so if you are interested, you can read about the Grand Palace here and here. (The latter link has information on ticket pricing and dress codes)

Grand Palace Bangkok ThailandGrand Palace Bangkok ThailandGrand Palace Bangkok ThailandGrand Palace Bangkok Thailand wall painting

Grand Palace Thailand Phra Si Rattana Chedi
Phra Si Rattana Chedi
Grand Palace Thailand Phra Si Rattana Chedi
Another Canon 7D user
Mithun at Grand Palace, Thailand
Self-proclaimed awesome Canon 7D user… me!

Grand Palace Thailand dragon handGrand Palace Bangkok ThailandGrand Palace Bangkok ThailandGrand Palace Bangkok Thailand

Grand Palace Bangkok Thailand Kinnon
Kinnon: A mythological creature, half bird, half man

Grand Palace Bangkok ThailandGrand Palace Bangkok ThailandThe final stop (for me) at the Grand Palace was the Wat Phra Kaew (wat = temple) that houses the Emerald Buddha.

Wat Phra Kaew Emerald Buddha
You have to leave your shoes outside

Wat Phra Kaew Emerald BuddhaWat Phra Kaew Emerald BuddhaThe Emerald Buddha, apparently from India originally and actually made of jasper instead of emerald, is seated on top of a structure and photography is not permitted from inside the hall. Which is why it helps to have a telephoto lens (thanks Jo!).

Grand Palace Emerald Buddha statueGrand Palace Emerald Buddha statue

Wat Phra Kaew, Grand Palace Bangkok Thailand
The ceiling of Wat Phra Kaew

Wat Phra Kaew, Grand Palace Bangkok ThailandGrand Palace Bangkok ThailandWith that, I was done. Drank lots of water and made my way out.

Chakri Mahaprasat Hall Grand Palace
The Chakri Mahaprasat Hall

Prasat Phra Thap Bidon Grand Palace

Prasat Phra Thap Bidon Grand Palace
Prasat Phra Thap Bidon

Next up — Wat Pho.


Other posts in this series:

Getting ready for my trip

The day I left for Thailand

Day 1 – Suvarnabhumi, Pantip Plaza, Fotofile & MBK

Day 2 – Bridge over the River Kwai and Tiger Temple (Wat Pa Luangta Bua) in Kanchanaburi

Taking the bus to Chiang Mai from Bangkok

Day 3 – Maesa elephant camp, ‘long-neck’ tribe village near Chiang Mai

Day 3 (Part 2) – Chiang Mai Night Market

Day 4 – Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai… and back in town

Day 5 – Leaving Chiang Mai for Phuket

Day 5 (Part 2) – One night in Phuket

Day 6 – Leaving Phuket for Ao Nang by bus (via Phang Nga)

Day 7 – Touring Koh Phi Phi (Maya Bay, Monkey Island & Bamboo Island)

Day 7 (Part 2) – Exploring Railay, Krabi

Day 8 – Flying from Phuket to Bangkok

Day 8 (Part 2) – Chatuchak Weekend Market, Bangkok

Day 9 – MBK, Siam Paragon… and ‘little Arabia’?

Day 10 – Wat Pho (the Temple of the Reclining Buddha) and finally leaving Thailand

Figures, lessons learned, and things I couldn’t do

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