Grand Palace in 2018

Written by Partha Majumdar

On 11-July-2018, at 6:00 AM, we landed in Bangkok, travelling from Bangalore. We got visa on arrival. We were in our Hotel – Hilton, Sukhumvit Soi 24 – by around 10:00 AM. We could not check in as the check in time was 3:00 PM. So, we left our luggage at the Hotel after refreshing ourselves and set out to visit the Grand Palace.

We picked up sandwiches and milk from the nearby 7Eleven store. Then, we went to the Phrom Phong Metro Station and bought tickets to Siam Station. The ticket cost 33 Bahts each. We got down at Siam station and again bought tickets for the Saphan Taksin station. This cost 37 Bahts each. We took the train to Saphan Taksin and got down at the station.

At the station, we found a ticket counter for buying tickets for boat rides. We bought tickets in Hop-On Hop-Off Boat for a full day at 180 Bahts each. Then, we walked to the Sathon Pier.

Outside the Sathon Pier, there is a resting place. We sat there for some time and had our sandwiches and milk.

Having breakfast at Sathon Pier

Then we walked to the Pier. Here our temporary tickets were replaced with the permanent tickets. We had to wait for our boat to arrive. There is ample place to sit and relax for the boat to arrive.

Getting on to the Hop-On Hop-off Boat

We sat on the roof of the boat. Not all the boats have seating arrangement on the roof. So, we were lucky.

Sitting on the roof of the Hop-On Hop-Off Boat

Scene from roof of Hop-On Hop-Off Boat

We reached the Maharaj Pier. We got off here to go to the Grand Palace.

Getting off at Maharaj Pier

From Maharaj Pier, we had to walk about 100 meters to reach the main road. Then we had to walk another 1 KM to reach the entrance of the Grand Palace. The path is marked and there are indicator all over.

On the way to Grand Palace from Maharaj Pier

There are lots of Police Men and Police Women on the way. The Police check the attire of each person. If the attire is not proper, they stop the tourist from entering the Grand Palace. There are shops here from where appropriate attire can be hired.

We also had to pass through Metal Detector.

Guard at the Entrance of Grand Palace

Passing through the entrance, one can see the Symbol Of Thailand on the left. We stopped here to take photographs.

Deepshree posing with the Grand Palace in the background

Me with Grand Palace in the background

We walked down further along the alley to reach the ticket counter. We bough tickets for 500 Bahts each.

Ticket Counter at Grand Palace

After buying the tickets, we walked down a alley to reach the entrance to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. At this entrance, our tickets were checked. We had to pass through Meta Detector.

Here I found a major difference with the rules in Indian Monuments. Inside Grand Palace, Smoking is prohibited. However, I was not stopped from carrying my Cigarette Packets and Lighter. However, if anyone of caught Smoking in the Grand Palace, the fine is 2000 Bahts.

Alley leading to the Entrance of the Temple of Emerald Buddha

Structures inside the Temple of Emerald Buddha

Posing with the Dragons

Posing with the Statue

Deepshree with the Dragons

Selfie inside the Temple of Emerald Buddha

There is whole section where there are painting of different events of Ramayana.

Story of Lord Hanuman crossing the Sea to reach Lanka

One is not allowed to take photographs inside the Temple of Emerald Buddha. However, by mistake Deepshree clicked one photographs before we entered the Temple. I told her the rules and she did not take any more photographs here.

Emerald Buddha

We spent about 2 hours inside the Temple of Emerald Buddha. Once you come out of the exit gate, you cannot enter this place with the same ticket. You would need to buy fresh tickets.

Once outside the Temple of Emerald Buddha, we were in the other part of the Grand Palace where there are the administrative offices and residences.

Outside the Temple of Emerald Buddha

Posing with the Guard

Back to Maharaj Pier

We came out of the Grand Palace and walked back to the Maharaj Pier. We were both hungry and I need to take care of eating timings of Deepshree as she is diabetic. We found a S&P Restaurant at Maharaj Pier.

S&P Restaurant at Maharaj Pier

Deepshree ordered sandwiches while I ordered Grilled Salmon and Rice.

Lunch at S&P Restaurant

Then we some photographs at this location.

Statue at Maharaj Pier

Deepshree at Maharaj Pier

Tuk Tuk

Soon our boat arrived at the Pier. We boarded the boat and returned to Sathon Pier. From there we travelled by Metro to Hilton. When we arrived at Hilton, we were given our room.

• Bangkok
• Grand Palace
• photography
• South East Asia
• Thailand
• Travel

• Previous Post Bangkok To Kanchanaburi and Back
• Next Post P&P Grand Residence

Partha Majumdar

Am basically a programmer. Have proved to myself and quite a few people over the 24+ years that I am capable of programming on most platforms using quite a few tools for most problems. However, to be viable for earning a living, have learnt a few tricks and techniques of management. Whatever management techniques I have learnt, I try and convert to simple logic flows to keep my decision process simple and transparent. While managing, have been successful in programming a few individuals and teams to meet required objectives. Though I am not creative, I have enormous potential to innovate and extend creative ideas generated and shared by others.