- Grand Palace
The Grand Palace ( _th. พระบรมมหาราชวัง, "Phra Borom Maha Ratcha Wang") is a complex of buildings in
Bangkok ,Thailand . It served as the official residence of theking of Thailand from the 18th century to the mid-20th century. After the death of KingAnanda Mahidol in the Grand Palace, KingBhumibol moved the official royal residence toChitralada Palace . Construction of the palace complex began in 1782, during the reign ofRama I .The palace complex sits on the east bank of the
Chao Phraya River . The other approaches to the palace are protected by adefensive wall of 1,900 metres in length, which encloses an area of 218,400square metres . Further out from the wall is acanal , which was also created for defensive purposes, making the area surrounding the palace an island, known asRattanakosin .Prominent parts of the Grand Palace:
*Wat Phra Kaew , the temple containing theEmerald Buddha
*Chakri Mahaprasad Hall , a building in a style influenced by the Italian RenaissanceMedia
Further reading
* Naengnoi Suksri, "The Grand Palace, Bangkok". River Books, Bangkok 1999, ISBN 0-500-97479-9
* K.I. Matics: "A History of Wat Phra Chetupon and its Buddha Images". The Siam Society, Bangkok 1979 (w/o ISBN)External links
* [http://palaces.thai.net/night/index_gp.htm Official website]
* [http://travelyourself.phick1.com/grand_palace/ The Grand Palace] Photo
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