The Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand

The Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand The Grand Palace was built in the reign of King Rama I (1782-1809 A.D.) in 1782 A.D. Its covers an area of 61 acres. The compound of the Grand Palace is divided into four sections: The Outer Palace, The Central Palace, The Inner Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. The sites of various Royal Residences, Throne hall and Royal Chapel within the compound of the palace. The Outer Palace is an area of the royal administrative office. The Central Palace is the most important area of the Grand Palace consists of The Throne halls and the Royal Residences. In the old days, it was the formal audience hall where the King met his officers for the state business. The Inner Palace was an area of the Royal Residence for the King, Queen and the royal family. The Temple of The Emerald Buddha enshrines the Emerald Buddha. Phra Maha Monthien Group consists of three important throne halls: Phra Thinang Amarindra Vinitchai Mahai Surya Phiman, Phra Thinang Phaisan Thaksin and Phra Thinang Chakkrapat Phiman. Phra Thinang Amarindra Vinitchai Mahai Surya Phiman was built in the reign of King Rama I (1782-1809 A.D.) in 1782 A.D. This throne hall is the most important within the Phra Maha Monthien Group. It is the formal audience hall and used for important state ceremonies such as the Coronation Ceremony, the Anniversary of the King’s Birthday. Two thrones are placed in this hall: Phra Thinang Phuttan Karnchanasinghat for the King seated during performed the royal ceremony. Phra Thinang Bussabok Mala Maha Chakkrapat Phiman is used to enshrine Buddha images during religious ceremonies. They were built in the reign of King Rama I (1782-1809 A.D.). In the old days, Phra Thinang Amarindra Vinitchai was the formal audience hall. The two British envoys, John Crawfurd during the reign of King Rama II (1809-1824 A.D.) and Sir John Bowring during the reign of King Rama IV (1851-1868 A.D.) were both received here. Phra Thinang Phaisan Thaksin is directly behind and connected with Phra Thinang Amarindra Vinitchai, was built in the reign of King Rama I (1782-1809 A.D.). This throne hall is placed a high altar of Phra Siam Thevathirat. Two thrones are used during the most important of the Coronation Ceremony: Phra Thinang Atthathit Ratchaart on which the King received his water of consecration from the eight regions and Phra Thinang Bhadrabit on which the King received the royal regalia consisting of the Five Insignia of Kingship. Phra Thinang Chakkrapat Phiman was the King’s residence of the First Three Chakri Dynasty. King Rama VI (1910-1925 A.D.) was his residence. King Rama VII (1925-1935 A.D.) spent a few night here after his Coronation. The present King, King Rama IX (King Bhumibol) spent his Coronation night here. Phra Thinang Dusit Maha Prasat was built in the reign of King Rama I (1782-1809 A.D.) in 1782 A.D. The original throne hall constructed of wood and called Amarindrabhisek Throne Hall. King Rama I (1782-1809 A.D.) intended that the building be used for his own Lying-in-State. The throne hall was struck by lighting in 1789 A.D. King Rama I (1782-1809 A.D.) was rebuilt the throne hall and given the name Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall, has four wings covered with four-tiered roofs. At the center is formed a seven-tiered prasat-spire and supported by four garudas(the king of bird=the mythical animals within the Himavamsa forest surrounding Mount Meru). Each tier, representing the levels of heaven according to the beliefs of the Tribhumi or Buddhist Cosmology. In the middle of the throne hall stands the mother-of-pearl inlaid throne, surmounts by a nine-tiered white umbrella. In the east wing stands a royal bed was decorated with mother-of-pearl inlaid. Both throne halls were built by King Rama I (1782-1809 A.D.) The throne was modified interior by adding a window in the form of a throne from which he received in audience female royalties. Now, throne hall has served the Commemorating the Anniversary of the Coronation Ceremony and the Lying-in-State place for royal remains in a golden urn prior to cremation. Phra Thinang Aphorn Phimok Prasat. This is a small open pavilion was built entirely of wood by King Rama IV (1851-1868 A.D.) on the east part of the wall around Phra Thinang Dusit Maha Prasat. It was used as a disrobing pavilion by the King when processing on the palanquin to the audience hall of Phra Thinang Dusit Maha Prasat. It was reproduced in the reign of King Rama V (1868-1910 A.D.) at Bang Pa-In Palace, Ayutthaya. A small replica throne hall was exhibited at the World’s Fair in Brussels in 1958 A.D. Phra Thinang Chakri Maha Prasat was built in the reign of King Rama V (1868-1910 A.D.) in 1876 A.D. This throne hall is shows a mixture of Thai and European style designed by the British architect Mr.John Clunish. The lower part of this throne hall is built in Neo-French Renaissance style with tiered roof and spires in traditional Thai style. It took six years to complete with commemorated the centenary of Bangkok in 1882 A.D. The throne hall is a three-storeys building amidst several one storey building, albeiton raised bases, and to ensure that it blended harmoniously with surroundings. The throne hall consists of three main parts: The Central Hall, The East wing and The West Wing, each connected to one another by passages inside the building. The Central Hall. The top Floor of the hall houses Buddha images and the ashes of the deceased kings of the Chakri dynasty. The first floor is the most important. There are a large reception hall and the Main Audience Hall (Chakri Throne hall) where the King receives ambassadors on the occasion of the representation of their credentials and where state banquets in honor of visiting Foreign Monarchs, Presidents and other royal ceremonies such as the Anniversary of the King’s Birthday. At the rear of the throne hall placed Phra Thaen Puttan Thom or Niello Throne sheltered by a nine-tiered white umbrella with the Royal Emblem of the Chakri Dynasty(consists of disc and trident) is also shown behind the Niello Throne. The wall are hangs with paintings of past diplomatic presentations: Louis XIV’s reception in the Gallerie des Glaces at Versailles of Phra Visut Sunthorn (Gosa Pan), an ambassador of King Narai the great of Ayutthaya, the reception at Fontaine Bleau of the Thai ambassador sent by King Rama IV (1851-1868 A.D) to Emperor Napolean III, Queen Victoria’s reception of Phraya Montri Suriyavongse, an ambassador of King Rama IV at Buckingham Palace. The ground floor of the central hall is the office of the royal guards. The East Wing. The top floor are kept the article of worships. The first floor is used as a reception room for royal guests and on the wall hangs a large portrait of King Rama V (1868-1910 A.D.), his Queen and five royal princes. The ground floor is a museum of weapon. The West Wing. The top floor contains the ashes of deceased Queen and senior members of the royal family. The first floor is the personal reception room of the Queen and hangs portraits of King Rama VII and his Queen. The ground floor is a library room. Halls Connecting the East Wing and the West Wing. On the first floor, there are two long halls connecting the Central Hall with the East Wing and the West Wing. Inside the connecting hall hang portraits of the former Kings, from King Rama I to King Rama VII, as well as King Pinklao, the second king during reign of King Rama IV and also hang portraits of the Queens. Phra Thinang Borom Phiman was built by King Rama V (1868-1910 A.D.). The two storeys building was designed by a foreign architected in Neo-Renaissance style for the Heir Apparent, the future King Rama VI (1910-1925 A.D.). At present, Phra Thinang Borom Phiman serves as the Royal Guest House for visiting Heads of State and guests of their majesties. Hor Sastrakom was built by King Rama I (1782-1809 A.D.) and rebuilt in the reign of King rama IV (1851-1868 A.D.) used for monk of the Ramanna Sect every eighth and fifteenth day of the waxing and waning moon, for the ceremony of making lustral water used in the daily ablution of His Majesty and for sprinkling over the compound of the Phra Maha Monthien. Phra Thinang Ratcharuedee was built by King Rama VI (1910-1925 A.D.) used by the King as an Ablution Pavilion for a ceremonial bath on his birthday. Phra Thinang Dusidaphirom was built by King rama I (1782-1809A.D.) and modified by King Rama IV used as a changing room to carry on a palanquin or an elephant. Phra Thinang Sanam Chan was built by King Rama II (1809-1824 A.D.) used as a gazebo. Phra Thinang Ratchakaranya Sapha was built by King Rama V (1868-1910 A.D.) for Councils of State. In 1897 A.D. King Rama V (1868-1910 A.D) made trip to Europe. He assigned his Queen Saowabha as Regent and she presided over Privy Council meeting in his state. In 1956 A.D. The present King, King Rama IX or King Bhumibol assigned Her Majesty Queen Sirikit was Regent, while the King had ordained to the monkhood. She presided over Privy Council meeting here. Mount Krailasa. This is a replica of Mount Krailasa was built by King Rama IV (1851-1868 A.D.) for the prince and princess would have a purifying bath during the Tonsure Ceremony. The Museum of the temple of the Emerald Buddha was built in the reign of King Rama V (1868-1910 A.D.) as a Royal Mint. In 1982 A.D. for bicentennial of Bangkok, the Emerald Buddha temple was extensively renovated and it was decided the certain architectural elements which had to be replaced should be preserved, together with various artifacts and Buddha images donated to the temple of the Emerald Buddha by King and members of the public. According to H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn as Director of the Restoration Committee decided that the Royal Mint should be turned into a museum. Ground floor displays a varied selection of objects associated with the Grand Palace over the centuries. And also Thai architecture, some Buddha images and Chinese stone statues which used to stand in the gardens surrounding the Emerald Buddha temple. Thai Kings have traditionally been associated with white elephants, which were regarded as extremely auspicious. The more white elephants, the more powerful King, with King Rama V (1868-1910 A.D) so far having the greatest number at 19. Upper floor displays two models of the Grand Palace showing how it was in the first reign and in this reign. The great quantity of Buddha images and commemorative medals created on the occasion of the Bangkok bicentennial, etc.