Built in 1782 and the official residence of the King of Thailand, the Royal Palace is a must-see if you find yourself in Bangkok. Located on the opposite side of the Chao Phraya river from the touristy areas of the city, it's a short trip to get there. The grounds are immaculately kept and it is obvious how much respect and adoration the Thai people have for the King. His image appears everywhere in Thailand - on billboards, currency, and advertisements.
Free to Thai residents and 500 baht (about $15 US) for tourists, it takes several hours to explore the entire grounds, including the world-famous emerald Buddha, the several on-site temples and the magnificent residence. The temple within the grounds is the only one in Thailand in which there are no monks in residence.
Following the Royal Palace, I crossed the river to visit Wat Arun, an architecturally stunning Buddhist temple built around the same time as the Royal Palace. While there, I donned a traditional Thai outfit to pose for some silly photos.
To see more photos from these two landmarks, click here.
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