Hello Steemians,

Today I am going to talk about the **Grand Palace** in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Grand Palace has been the official residence of the Kings of Siam (and later Thailand) since 1782. Several royal ceremonies and state functions are also held in the Grand Palace every year. It is one of the most popular attractions in Thailand.

Construction of the palace began on May 6, 1782, by King  Rama I, when he moved the capital city from Thonburi to Bangkok. The kings that succeeded him made additions to the Palace,  especially  King Rama V.  Today, the Palace has a combined area of 218,400 square metres, and is surrounded by four walls. It is situated on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, at  the Rattanakosin Island. 

http://i.imgur.com/r4giLHp.jpg?1

<center> Grand Palace spires </center>

http://i.imgur.com/HM0f8wt.jpg?1

<center> The Phimanchaisri Gate (main entrance) </center>

The most sacred Buddhist temple complex (wat) in Thailand is the Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha). It is located inside the Grand Palace. 

One of the buildings of the Wat Phra Kaew is the Phra Ubosot (Ordination Hall), which contains the statue of the **Emerald Buddha**, a dark green statue, about 66 centimeters tall, carved from a single jade stone. According to legend, the Emerald Buddha brings prosperity to the country it  resides in, so it is a deeply revered statue in Thailand (2).

http://i.imgur.com/tPZ7Ns3.jpg?1

<center> Phra Ubosot of Wat Phra Kaew </center>

http://i.imgur.com/Z8sMlwL.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/2hQhNuY.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/5XiZnZS.jpg?1

<center> Beautiful murals </center>

The Wat Phra Kaew contains many buildings and structures, like for example the golden chedis, the Prasat Phra Thep Bidon, and the Phra Mondop (library).

http://i.imgur.com/xKjOIUl.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/dpT9RCE.jpg?1

<center> Phra Sri Rattana Chedi </center>

http://i.imgur.com/MM0tHB2.jpg?1

<center> Golden Chedi of Wat Phra Kaew </center>

http://i.imgur.com/iXipAoa.jpg?1

Prasat Phra Thep Bidon (Royal Pantheon) was built by Rama IV to house the Emerald Buddha. Now  the statue is kept in the Phra Ubosot, and Prasat Phra Thep Bidon is closed apart  for only one day in the year, in the month of October, to commemorate the founding of the Chakri dynasty.

http://i.imgur.com/bl7fa3J.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/teCbRJf.jpg?1

<center> Prasat Phra Thep Bidon </center>

http://i.imgur.com/F2xYw3i.jpg?1

Phra Mondop (library) was built by Rama I to house the Tripitaka (sacred Buddhist manuscripts).

http://i.imgur.com/9338Ufv.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/wRLy29l.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/T1XLSku.jpg?1

<center> Phra Mondop  </center>

And that's the end of this post. I hope you liked it, and that you will follow me to my next post.

Have a good day, and we'll speak again soon!

References:
1.Text from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Palace.
2.Text from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Phra_Kaew.