Rattanakosin Island's centrepiece and the symbolic heart of the kingdom, the Grand Palace was built in 1782 when King Rama I moved the capital across the river, and it served as the royal residence for around 150 years. Within the same walls stands Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, home to a revered jade image whose seasonal robes are changed by the King three times a year. Expect glittering chedis, towering mythical guardians, murals of the Ramakien epic, and the Chakri Maha Prasat throne hall that fuses Thai roofs onto a European body. The dress code is strict and enforced for everyone: shoulders and knees fully covered, no sheer fabric, and cover-ups can be borrowed near the gate. Arrive by Chao Phraya express boat to Tha Chang pier, go at opening time, and ignore any friendly stranger who says the palace is shut for a holiday, it is a well-worn scam.
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