The Grand Royal Palace

Jabar oftentimes emphasized that he's not here to tour around but to focus on his mountain-piles of work at the office. Apparently, the Bangkok Philippine Embassy is the busiest post, hence truly deserving to be awarded as the Most Outstanding Post. But, I insisted that we go tour around during weekends as I won't be staying long (for now). We decided to visit the Grand Royal Palace and asked among his officemates for directions. To my surprise, most of them haven't visited the tourist spot yet. Alright, they're not here to tour around, right? Ugh. 

Luckily, I have a husband who agrees with my liking to look around and gaze at beautiful architectures. Well I guess, that's one thing we have in common. EXCEPT THAT I take a lot of pictures, while he doesn't. And we argue a lot on that. Haha! 

According to the flyers that were handed to us at the entrance to the palace, The Grand Palace complex was established in 1782 and it consists of not only the royal residence and throne halls, but also a number of number of government offices as well as the renowned Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The photo above shows The Upper Terrace. Four monuments are found on this terrace: a reliquary in the shape of a golden chedi; the Mondop, a repository for Buddhist sacred scriptures inscribed on palm leaves, contained within a beautiful mother-of-pearl inlaid cabinet; a miniature Angkor Wat crafted by the order of King Mongkut (Rama IV); and the Royal Pantheon in which statues of past sovereigns of the ruling Chakri dynasty are enshrined. 

Scattered around the terrace are statues of elephants and mythical beings. The models of elephants are a record of the famous white elephants acquired during the reigns of the various kings of Thailand. 

The photo above shows the replica of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. I've been forewarning Jabar that we need to maximize our stay here in Bangkok by visiting nearby countries such as Cambodia and Vietnam which can be traveled by land. Let's see how he can insert that in his tight schedule. Hehe. 

                                  

History says that after King Rama I ascended to the throne in 1782, the palace was built. Prior to this, the royal palace and centre of administration had been located in Thonburi, on the west side of the Chao Phraya River. For various reasons, the new king considered the former capital to be unsuitable and decided to establish a new capital on the other side of the river. By his royal command, a new palace was built to serve not only as his residence but also the site of administrative offices. The royal compound has been known since then as the Grand Palace. 

                                   

                                   

Above photo shows the Royal Monastery of the Emerald Buddha. It is prohibited to take photos inside as there are locals who are performing prayer rituals. Tourists are allowed to come and merely observe. The Emerald Buddha is one of the most venerated sites in Thailand where people convene to pay respect to the Lord Buddha and His Teachings. The Emerald Buddha is enshrined on a golden traditional Thai-style throne made of gilded-carved wood, known as Busabok, in the ordination hall of the Royal Monastery. The sacred image is clad with one of the three seasonal costumes (summer, rainy season and winter). The three costumes are changed three times a year in a ceremony presided over by His Majesty thr King. 

Religious statues are found in the corners of the compound where Buddhists pay respect by offering flowers and burning incense. 

Another famous temple is found near the Grand Palace, that is Wat Po, but Jabar reserved it for another weekend. Maybe when I stay here with him for good. :)