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The Grand Palace

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 Bangkok, 10200

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Call: +66 2 623 5500
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About

The Grand Palace has been the official residence of the Kings of Siam, and later Thailand, since 1782, when King Rama I moved the capital to the east bank of the Chao Phraya and built a palace that was also the seat of government. Its crenellated walls enclose some 218,000 square meters of throne halls, residences, former offices and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Phra Kaew, which serves as the Chapel Royal.

On a first trip to Bangkok it anchors a day in the old city, and that day should start early: ticket sales end in mid-afternoon. The palace stands in the old royal quarter of Rattanakosin, where rail stations are few and the river does most of the work, and its temple neighbor Wat Pho lies just to the south, with Wat Arun across the water.

Wat Phra Kaew, the Chapel Royal

The temple fills the northeast of the Front Court behind a cloister wall. It has every building of a Buddhist monastery except living quarters, because monks do not reside here. King Rama I installed the Emerald Buddha in the Phra Ubosot, the convocation hall, and named the temple Wat Phra Sri Rattanasasadaram. Twelve marble-based pavilions flank the hall, where the faithful sit for sermons and chanting on Buddhist holy days. The Emerald Buddha is dressed in one of three costumes, changed for the hot, rainy and cool seasons, so what you see depends on when you visit.

Beyond the temple

The ticket also covers the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles in the Ratsadakorn-bhibhathana Building, which Queen Sirikit asked to turn into a textile museum in 2003; photography is not allowed in its galleries. For a break, the Doi Kham shop near the Srisuntara Gate and the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall sells drinks, snacks and products from royal projects inside the Attavijana Sala, a Rama I-era brick building that once served as a court.

Before you go

The palace is a place of reverence for Thai people and publishes a strict dress code, checked at the gate, so plan clothes that cover shoulders and legs before you leave the hotel. Parts of the compound can close for royal ceremonies, and the palace posts a daily schedule online.

Getting there

The palace's own directions favor the river: the orange-flag Chao Phraya Express Boat from Sathorn Pier, below BTS Saphan Taksin, stops at Tha Chang beside the palace. MRT Sanam Chai is the nearest rail station, and tuk-tuk fares are best agreed before you set off.

Sources: The Grand Palace, history, practical information, visitor FAQ, facilities, Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles. Checked September 25, 2026.

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Contact Information

Company Name
The Grand Palace
Phone Number
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Call: +66 2 623 5500
Location
Na Phra Lan Road
Bangkok, 10200
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About The Grand Palace

The Grand Palace has been the official residence of the Kings of Siam, and later Thailand, since 1782, when King Rama I moved the capital to the east bank of the Chao Phraya and built a palace that was also the seat of government. Its crenellated walls enclose some 218,000 square meters of throne halls, residences, former offices and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Phra Kaew, which serves as the Chapel Royal.

On a first trip to Bangkok it anchors a day in the old city, and that day should start early: ticket sales end in mid-afternoon. The palace stands in the old royal quarter of Rattanakosin, where rail stations are few and the river does most of the work, and its temple neighbor Wat Pho lies just to the south, with Wat Arun across the water.

Wat Phra Kaew, the Chapel Royal

The temple fills the northeast of the Front Court behind a cloister wall. It has every building of a Buddhist monastery except living quarters, because monks do not reside here. King Rama I installed the Emerald Buddha in the Phra Ubosot, the convocation hall, and named the temple Wat Phra Sri Rattanasasadaram. Twelve marble-based pavilions flank the hall, where the faithful sit for sermons and chanting on Buddhist holy days. The Emerald Buddha is dressed in one of three costumes, changed for the hot, rainy and cool seasons, so what you see depends on when you visit.

Beyond the temple

The ticket also covers the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles in the Ratsadakorn-bhibhathana Building, which Queen Sirikit asked to turn into a textile museum in 2003; photography is not allowed in its galleries. For a break, the Doi Kham shop near the Srisuntara Gate and the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall sells drinks, snacks and products from royal projects inside the Attavijana Sala, a Rama I-era brick building that once served as a court.

Before you go

The palace is a place of reverence for Thai people and publishes a strict dress code, checked at the gate, so plan clothes that cover shoulders and legs before you leave the hotel. Parts of the compound can close for royal ceremonies, and the palace posts a daily schedule online.

Getting there

The palace's own directions favor the river: the orange-flag Chao Phraya Express Boat from Sathorn Pier, below BTS Saphan Taksin, stops at Tha Chang beside the palace. MRT Sanam Chai is the nearest rail station, and tuk-tuk fares are best agreed before you set off.

Sources: The Grand Palace, history, practical information, visitor FAQ, facilities, Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles. Checked September 25, 2026.

Attractions Temples Palaces Historic Sites Rattanakosin Old City Phra Nakhon attractions
Phone: +66 2 623 5500

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Where is the Grand Palace?+
On Na Phra Lan Road in the Phra Nakhon district of Bangkok 10200, in the old royal quarter of Rattanakosin beside the Chao Phraya. The visitor entrance has been the Mani Noppharat Gate since 10 January 2024.
Q. What are the opening hours?+
The palace opens daily at 8:30 a.m. Tickets are sold from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and the palace website lists the grounds as open until 4:30 p.m. Royal ceremonies can close parts of the compound, so check the daily schedule on the palace website or call +66 2 623 5500 ext. 2171.
Q. How much is admission?+
Foreign visitors pay 500 baht, which includes Wat Phra Kaew (the Temple of the Emerald Buddha) and the Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles. Thai nationals enter free with their ID card, and children under 120 cm enter free.
Q. Can I buy tickets in advance?+
Yes. Tickets are sold at the ticket offices on the day or online up to one month ahead. Online tickets cannot be refunded, changed or moved to another date. The palace asks visitors to buy only through its official channels.
Q. What is the dress code?+
The palace does not admit sleeveless shirts, vests, short or see-through tops, shorts or hot pants, torn, tight or cycling trousers, mini skirts, pants skirts or sleepwear.
Q. How do I get there?+
By river, take the orange-flag Chao Phraya Express Boat from Sathorn Pier (BTS Saphan Taksin, exit 2) to Tha Chang (N9), next to the palace, or to Tha Tien (N8) near Wat Pho. By rail, MRT Sanam Chai exit 1 is the nearest station, with buses 3, 9, 44, 47, 53 and 82 continuing to the palace. Parking is listed at Wat Mahathat, beside the City Pillar Shrine, Soi Wat Pho and the Wat Rakang parking building.
Q. Is there an audio guide?+
Yes. A personal audio guide costs 200 baht and is available in English, French, German, Japanese, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish and Thai. You leave a passport or a credit card (Amex, Mastercard or Visa) as a deposit.
Q. Can I take photos or fly a drone?+
The Bureau of the Royal Household publishes 2024 regulations on filming, video recording and photography in the palace, which can be downloaded from the practical information page. Photography is not allowed in the galleries of the textile museum, and drones may not be flown over the palace.
Q. Is the palace accessible?+
There are wheelchair-accessible toilets. The palace normally lends wheelchairs free of charge, but its accessibility page says the service is temporarily suspended during the royal funeral ceremony. The textile museum is wheelchair accessible.