Bangkok's must-see attraction is the Grand Palace in Rattanakosin. A dazzling display of intricate carving and colour, the palace contains the Wat Phra Kaew temple. Here, Thailand's sacred Emerald Buddha is housed. Visitors must adhere to a strict dress code.
A first stop when visiting Bangkok, the entire palace complex offers more than 218,000 square metres of intricate symbolism, history and cultural traditions. Wat Phra Kaew (or Wat Phra Keo) is the most sacred site in the country, a glorious explosion of Thai architecture and colour from start to finish, complete with murals of Hindu epic the Ramayana and many Buddhas.
Pilgrims come from all over Thailand to see the sacred Emerald Buddha statue. It is thought to have been created in Sri Lanka, but was discovered when lightning cracked open an old chedi in Chiang Rai.
Only the northern part of the massive palace proper is open to the public (apart from during special royal ceremonies). The Dusit Maha Prasat Hall, built by King Rama I, is a living example of traditional Thai architecture, featuring a roof glazed in red, gold and green and an exquisite throne inlaid with mother-of-pearl.
Among the other countless gems, the admission fee also affords entry to the wonderful Vimanmek Palace (a large golden teakwood mansion, down the road via No 70 bus) and the Royal Thai Decoration & Coin Pavilion. Entry to the Grand Palace is limited to those properly attired. As outer garments, shorts, mini-skirts, culottes, tight-fitting trousers, tights and sleeveless shirts are not suitable, neither are sweat shirts, tracksuits, wind-cheaters, nor sandals without ankle or heel straps. Shirt sleeves must not be rolled up.