Home of the Kings of Siam of the Chakri Dynasty, originally built by King Rama I, it served as the royal residence until 1946. Today the palace is still used on certain occasions for visiting royalty or special guests of the Kingdom.
Adjoining the Grand Palace you will find the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Keo), this is probably the best known of the royal temples. It is regarded as the most important temple in all Thailand and it is the venue of many of the numerous religious ceremonies in which the King participates, especially at the beginning of each of the three seasons when His Majesty personally changes the elaborate robes of the Buddha image, carved out of a single piece of emerald‐green jasper.
Continue sightseeing the Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho), the actual name of which is Wat Phra Jetupon, famous as the oldest and largest temple in Bangkok the temple also teaches the techniques of traditional Thai massage.
This is perhaps the best opportunity to see the famous ‘water people’ of Thailand. You board special, covered boats, travelling along the Chao Phraya River and into a large klong (canal) on the Thonburi side.
You will see modern as well as traditional teakwood houses on stilts. On your return, you will stop at what is probably the best known symbol of Bangkok, the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun), with its sparkling spires covered with broken bits of glass and pottery, most impressive at sunrise.
