The Grand Palace Bangkok (พระบรมมหาราชวัง - Phra Borom Maha Ratcha Wang) > Bangkok ~ Thailand < 2013 August 12 (1) > (Bangkok - Ayutthaya - Kuala Lumpur)

Today, our first visit place is The Grand Palace.

The Grand Palace (พระบรมมหาราชวัง - Phra Borom Maha Ratcha Wang) is a complex of buildings at the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. The palace has been the official residence of the Kings of Siam (and later Thailand) since 1782. The king, his court and his royal government were based on the grounds of the palace until 1925. The present monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), currently resides at Chitralada Palace, but the Grand Palace is still used for official events. Several royal ceremonies and state functions are held within the walls of the palace every year. The palace is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Thailand.

Credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Palace

The Grand Palace is divided into three main zones:
- The Outer Court, home to royal offices, public buildings and the Temple of Emerald Buddha;
- the Middle Court, which is where the most important residential and state buildings are;
- the Inner Court, which is exclusively reserved for the king, his queen and his consorts.

Getting there?
One of the easiest, and most pleasurable, ways is taking the BTS skytrain to Saphan Taksin station, located a top Sathorn “Central” Pier. From there, take a Chao Phraya River Express boat to Chang Pier, and then it’s a short walk to the Grand Palace’s main entrance.

Opening hours: daily from 8:30am to 3:30pm except during special royal ceremonies.

Entrance fee is 500 Baht.
It's inclusive of access to :
> Wat Phra Kaeo,
> The Royal Thai Decorations & Coins Pavilion and Queen Sirikit Museum of Textile, which are located within the Grand Palace compound,
> Vimanmek Mansion Museum on Ratchawithi Road.
Additional 100 Baht for a rental personal audio guide in English, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Japanese or Mandarin.

So this is why I suggest you came here first then the other's palace. Because the ticket is inclusive. Don't forget to take a brochure about grand palace based on your language.

Visitors are required to dress appropriately. These following clothes are strictly not allowed as outer garments for both ladies and gentlemen:
>>> Shorts
>>> Mini-Skirts
>>> Short Skirts
>>> Tight Fitting Trousers
>>> See-Through Shirts and Blouses, as well as culottes or quarter length trousers
>>> Sleeveless Shirts or Vests
>>> Sandals (without ankle or heel straps)
>>> Rolled-up-sleeved shirts
>>> Sweatshirts and Sweatpants
>>> Wind-Cheaters
>>> Pajamas
>>> Fisherman Trousers

Credit:
- http://www.tourismthailand.org/See-and-Do/Sights-and-Attractions-Detail/The-Grand-Palace--52
- http://www.grandpalacebangkok.com/

We parked the car a little far from Grand Palace, and the usual Parking Car already full. So we parked the car at a building car parking. It's near Khao Shan Road. Then we ride Tuk-Tuk. It cost 50-60 Baht from there to Grand Palace.

When I came here, it's Queen's Birthday. So there's a ceremony party inside the Grand Palace. But the tourists still can enter the site.

And when I came here, there's so many people. Just imagine, only when you want to entering the entrance, you have to queue almost 45 minutes. Too many people come here. And we can't took a good picture with many people surround.

The Grand Palace, view from Wat Arun

Outer Court of Grand Palace

Chakri Mahaprasat Throne Hall, middle court of Grand Palace

When I visit this palace, There's a ceremony party for Queen's Birthday in this building. So many important people come to celebrate.

Chakri Mahaprasat Throne Halll

Wat Phra Mahathat > Ayutthaya ~ Thailand < 2013 August 10 (8) > (Bangkok - Ayutthaya - Kuala Lumpur)

After lunch, we visit Wat Phra Mahathat. Wat Phra Mahathat (วัดมหาธาตุ) or the “Monastery of the Great Relic” is located on the city island in the central part of Ayutthaya in Tha Wasukri sub-district. The temple is situated on the corner of the present Chikun Road and Naresuan Road.

Wat Phra Mahathat is a Buddhist Temple.

See:
- http://www.ayutthaya-history.com/Temples_Ruins_MahaThat.html
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Phra_Si_Rattana_Mahathat

The ruins is beautiful, and Buddha Head is the highlight of this area. So many people took photo of it. I came here after lunch, and the weather is so hot. But it's fun. Many tourists come to this place, and I think this place is the most popular among other. This place quiet large, so prepare yourself 1 to 2 hours to walk around.

Ticket price : 50 Baht, open from 08:00 to 17:00.

Here are some photos that I took

Buddha Head, the touristical "high light" of Wat Phra Mahathat - caption from http://www.ayutthaya-history.com/Temples_Ruins_MahaThat.html -

Wat Phanan Choeng (วัดพนัญเชิงวรวิหาร) > Ayutthaya ~ Thailand < 2013 August 10 (3) > (Bangkok - Ayutthaya - Kuala Lumpur)

Wat Phanan Choeng (วัดพนัญเชิงวรวิหาร) is a Buddhist temple in the city of Ayutthaya and a part of Ayutthaya Historical Park.

Credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Phanan_Choeng

At first, this place is not included in our itinery. My Thai Friends didn't mention about this place. But Mr Driver told us, that we have to visit here. Just go inside and you will see why Mr Driver wants us to be here.

There's a big gold Buddha sit statue. And when we come there, a lot of people come here to pray. We come to Thailand, at Queen's Birthday holiday, so there's a long weekend in there. And most people spend their holiday by come to temple to pray.

Unfortunately, I can't take picture of the statue, because when I came there, there's a pray ceremony. I only watch them.

Surround the temple

Trip to Tian'An Men 天安门 & Forbidden City 故宫 # Beijing - China

Today, my friends Pramono, RW and Dede invite me to join them take a trip to Tian'An Men 天安门 & Forbidden City 故宫 *gugong*. It's only us four.

To go to Tian'An Men, you can ride subway, to Tian An Men station.

Once we came out from the subway, we will see Tian'An men Square. There's Mao Zi Dong's museum and also People's monumen.

2008, the Olympiade will held in Beijing. So, there's a countdown to the Olympiade time in the Tian An Men Square.

After take some photos at Tian'An Men Square, then we went to Tian'An Men Gate.

Then we enter the gate.

The main building has been renovated, for Olympiade preparation. So we can't see it.

Then we enter the Forbidden City 故宫 *gugong*. It cost RMB 120 for tourists. But for students, there's discount, and it only cost RMB 80 using Student Card 学生证 *xueshengzheng*. This is where the Royal Family stay. We can see some royal clothes, and utilities. And also some gift from other countries.

The Garden inside Forbidden City

Back side of Tian'An Men.

Website:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiananmen_Square
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiananmen
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forbidden_City

After roaming around Tian'An Men, we go back to the dorm. One of our friend, Via, inviting us to dinner at her apartment. She will cook for us. So, we go there, and join the others.