grand palace grand palace thai complex buildings heart thailand palace official residence kings later thailand king court royal government based grounds palace present monarch currently resides royal villa palace grand palace official events royal ceremonies state functions held walls palace year palace popular tourist attractions thailand construction palace began order founder moved capital city successive reigns new buildings structures added especially reign king king government longer permanently settled palace moved residences abolition absolute monarchy government agencies completely moved palace shape palace complex roughly rectangular combined area square metres surrounded walls situated banks river heart today district grand palace bordered road north road west road east thai road south single structure grand palace numerous buildings halls set open gardens eclectic styles organic development additions rebuilding successive reigning kings years history divided quarters temple public buildings including gardens quarter grand palace currently partially open public museum remains working palace royal offices situated inside history construction grand palace began order having seized crown king king intent building capital city new decided seat power city west river east new capital city turned artificial island canals dug east island given previous royal residence palace constructed king new palace built rectangular piece land west island south north river west location previously occupied chinese community king ordered relocate area south outside city walls area known today desperate materials short funds palace initially built entirely wood structures surrounded simple log june king crossed river permanent residence new palace days later june king held abbreviated coronation ceremony monarch new years king began replacing wooden structures masonry rebuilding walls forts gates throne halls royal residences rebuilding included royal chapel come house find material constructions king ordered men upstream old capital city destroyed war burma tasked removal bricks find removing temples began taking materials forts walls city end completely old royal palaces bricks ferried barges eventually incorporated walls grand palace initial construction grand palace reign king carried labour final completion ceremonial halls palace king held traditional coronation ceremony layout grand palace followed royal palace location organization divisions separate courts walls gates forts palaces featured proximity river location pavilion serving landing stage barge corresponded old palace north grand palace large field called open space royal ceremonies parade ground similar field purpose road running north leads palace residence second king grand palace divided main courts separated numerous walls gates temple court functions access clearly defined laws traditions situated northwestern grand palace royal offices state northeast temple royal chapel home housed important state apartments ceremonial throne halls king situated southern end complex reserved females housed king reign total area grand palace expanded southwards walls previously area home offices palace officials expansion increased area palace square metres square metres new walls forts gates constructed accommodate enlarged compound expansion palace remained walls new construction changes inside accordance tradition palace initially referred royal palace similar old palace reign grand palace official documents change elevation prince king younger brother title second king proclamation title described royal palace supreme great palace title given order distinguish palace second king palace palace described glorious palace period absolute monarchy grand palace country administrative religious centre main residence monarch palace seat government thousands inhabitants including servants ministers palace high walls extensive forts guard posts mirrored walls grand palace envisioned city city reason special set created govern inhabitants establish hierarchy order 1920s series new palaces constructed king use included modern constructed residences began replace grand palace primary place residence monarch court gradual palace complete growth state meant government grown size finally moved grand palace premises despite grand palace remained official ceremonial place residence stage set elaborate ancient ceremonies monarchy end absolute monarchy came revolution ancient system government replaced constitutional monarchy today grand palace centre ceremony monarchy serves museum tourist attraction grand palace situated northwest palace northeast occupied temple entering main gate temple located left public buildings located right buildings include headquarters information centre grand palace principal private secretary important buildings inside court include important meetings office building housing departments main office located small museum called gate opens directly unto main portal historically court referred literally served seat royal government ministerial offices theatre stables king elephants barracks royal guards royal mint arsenal government agencies workers vacated site buildings converted use temple temple known formally royal chapel situated walls palace incorrectly referred buddhist temple fact chapel features temple living quarters monks built temple constructed accordance ancient tradition dating royal chapel grounds royal palace famed kept grounds temple temple surrounded sides series walled seven different gates like ancient royal temples complex separated living quarters kings walls buildings structures diverse purposes differing styles reflecting changing architecture reigns kings despite buildings adhere strictly classical thai architecture establishment temple dates founding grand palace largest important court situated central grand palace important residential state buildings located court considered main grand palace fronted road cuts right east west court divided groups throne halls quarter group group buildings located roughly centre heart grand palace traditional thai style building group enclosed low wall residential sleeping kings considered important set throne halls entire grand palace buildings face north arranged public reception hall ceremonial halls middle residential halls inter connected royal king taken place walls building group construction began order king original buildings included later king carried major constructions including throne hall extensions later reign added king renamed buildings meaning meaning great royal residence carried major renovations spent reign residing buildings king later added arch ways north west walls called gate respectively king added extensions eastern western sides hall buildings original plan remain occasional renovations important rest complex closed public gate central entrance hall central doorway reserve exclusively use king enter doors gate guarded chinese style statues including mythical warriors lions gate topped thai style covered chinese brief northernmost forward building buildings important throne hall constructed thai style royal audience chamber receiving foreign ambassadors conducting important state businesses ceremonies large throne hall stands high base roof covered green orange tiles decorated mural depicting hindu god main central door reserved use royalty enter adjacent doors hall rows square columns left right adorned thai floral designs ceiling decorated glass mosaic stars hall flanked seven throne shaped like boat pavilion middle elevated pavilion represents centre buddhist hindu throne decorated coloured stones figures throne giving royal audiences throne sits called throne topped massive important symbol thai different tiers represents king power prestige extends directions cardinal directions sub cardinal directions final ninth tier represents central direction descending earth giant usually deposited important royal seven currently situated vicinity grand palace situated throne palace throne multi layered squared platforms seat middle throne royal audience king reign annual birthday celebrations royal throne king received british envoy years sent india lord hastings negotiate trade treaty directly rectangular shaped hall ceremonial functions hall important religious state ceremonies held main venue royal performed beginning king reign coronation ceremony held king hall private reception hall living space king hosted meetings closest ministers trusted death hall converted ceremonial space long rectangular hall decorated rich murals depicting scenes buddhist hindu mythology hall houses situated eastern hall unusually shaped wooden throne form octagonal decorated golden topped white seven umbrella coronation ceremony king holy water prior ceremony kings gone ancient ritual hall western throne chair akin european counterparts high tables sides throne topped royal umbrella throne main coronation ceremony king presented objects thailand king crown presented objects reminding duties responsibilities king presented king include great crown victory apart setting important ceremonies hall houses figure figure created reign king safety exists nation worship golden figure depicts standing deity dressed royal wearing crown holding sword right hand figure inches tall housed chinese style cabinet middle hall facing south figures scale depicting hindu gods figure daily today religious ceremonies held worship figure times great crisis situated centre buildings hall built reign king primary apartment sleeping quarter monarch inner grand palace residential hall formed identical rectangular buildings inter connected middle section residential hall reception room sections east west divided personal apartments king east section primary monarch hall divided rooms golden screen northern room contains bed originally belonging king bed hangs umbrella southern room contains dressing chamber hangs umbrella west section multi purpose hall minor ceremonies audiences reign king iii hall converted bedroom death storage place weapons monarch thailand kept built entirely palm leaves later replaced tiles tiles reign king tradition kings allowed sleep hall crowned required sleep nights literally bed prior coronation king concealed modern toilet installed near king spent nights near end life died king vii king spent nights respective accordance tradition small king receive sitting small platform doors platform leading royal apartments rear south rear hall flanked residential halls reserved members royal called east hall west apart grand state buildings minor structures surrounding structures include smaller halls sides throne hall aside wall northwest built raised platform hall chamber king arriving departing palace elephant elephant mounting platform west mounting platform north structure open pavilion walls covered rich murals added later king iii entrance situated east lined steps leading throne hall hall structure grand palace exterior decorations golden blue glass mosaic depicts angels carrying sword southeast thai style pavilion constructed reign king outdoor audience chamber pavilion constructed use especially birthday celebrations king originally king european style building constructed purpose display gifts foreign nations building dilapidated king replaced chinese style pavilion dismantled rebuilt present pavilion measures metres decorated figures white mosaic background southwest structure built reign king pavilion traditional thai pavilion raised platform inside king pavilion sitting supervising construction projects measuring metres pavilion portable moved different sites wooden decorated carvings glass mosaic floral design chinese western influences columns glass mosaic inner platform decorated black glass mosaic platform single panel teak measuring metres pavilion strengthened given marble base northeast hall size hall appear constructed concurrently accordance ancient tradition hall built use monks create holy water palace ground evening practice discontinued reign king vii financial reasons currently ritual practiced buddhist holy days monks hall divided rooms northern room prayer ritual room monks including built walls religious texts southern room storage room images religious artifacts times war weapons enhanced holy water special ceremony weapons special distributed soldiers battle result function windows doors hall decorated depictions ancient weapons image hall east connects small thai style building attached short corridor hall houses important valuable images figures including representing reign relics reportedly kept located west connected corridor symmetry hall contains small containing ashes royal ancestors originally named changed king installed valuable ancient images king king images installed carried extensive renovations interior exterior group buildings composed major minor halls structured similar scheme north south building groups contrasts greatly styles group palaces situated centre groups group work king foreign architects 19th century reign king area expansive garden later named left garden twin right garden gardens gardens named according location left right buildings reign king iii new residential pavilion called constructed mother new residence composed low lying buildings king expanded residence gave consort buildings king born lived child king ascended throne decided build new group throne halls replace old structures phase construction began final phase king resided palace gradually moved new palace north grand palace king occasionally stayed palace preferred residences country reign king vii buildings dire need renovations economic constraints renovated work carried architectural graduate des paris works seen today present reign king buildings dilapidated needed demolished altogether new halls constructed replace site hosted different residential halls left completely reconstructed moon structures lie grand recently rebuilt rooms opened public state functions carried changing guards occurs courtyard hours situated northernmost group throne hall forms façade entire building group throne hall throne hall throne hall constructed eclectic style blend thai european specifically renaissance styles lower structure european upper thai styled green orange roofs trip singapore java present day indonesia king brought architect design construct throne hall construction began king wanted entirely european structure insistence chief minister king decided add thai roofs king personally supervised raising final central building throne hall completed centenary grand palace new throne hall given meaning literally seat throne constructed building group rotated shape plan parallel buildings running east west axis intersecting hall axis running north south northerly end structure throne hall buildings hidden throne hall consists stories seven major axis central pavilion roof extensions taller larger sides owing mix thai european styles exterior decoration mixture orders follow strict classical lines thai roofs decorated green orange titles throne halls order new building blend existing skyline external gates throne hall decorated emblem middle floor windows western style coat arms semi circle central hall portrait king western lower half thai roof compared western lady clothed victorian costume wearing thai crown symbolism emphasis superiority thai architecture crown head west lower half body stylistic innovation artistic coincidence supposed convey significant political message resistance western sovereignty style perspective building internal political struggle ideas led king traditional ruling led early ministers interior upper middle floors state floors turn divided reception rooms throne rooms galleries complete royal portraits monarchs including second king specifically east gallery buddhist images religious images west reception rooms state guests foreign dignitaries parts throne hall libraries rooms ashes kings viii queens housed european inside hall initially belonged proved big residence eventually gave king gifts throne hall structure thailand electricity installed insistence prince lower floor ground floor reserved servants currently museum displaying old weapons inside main hall throne room situated centre chair raised platform throne flanked seven throne topped royal umbrella throne depicting fiery emblem dynasty throne king important state occasions welcoming foreign diplomats missions room king welcome foreign dignitaries heads state president bill_clinton pope recently king welcomed world leaders inside room asia pacific economic cooperation summit held wall throne room decorated paintings depicting important scenes history thai foreign relations east wall hang paintings called queen victoria receiving king ambassador king receiving ambassador king versailles west hangs king receiving british envoy sir napoleon iii receiving ambassadors situated hall east built separate wing hall encompasses original area king born lived child previously king area set aside small tree garden currently hall set small reception venue situated opposite hall west hall wing built hall divided state rooms king reception room council room hall 12th july king stated ministers intention abolish slavery massive square shaped structure group halls built king hall host foreign guests dignitaries reign king building run king ordered demolished construction new hall began interrupted asian financial crisis construction eventually resumed april new throne hall built raised platform composed inter connected buildings forming internal rooms function new hall use important state functions june hall welcomed royal representatives worldwide celebration 60th anniversary throne included ruling monarchs royal crown princes group group situated westernmost main buildings area dates reign king contains oldest existing grand palace entire throne hall group contained walled paved courtyard similarly groups buildings built embellished refurbished successive reigns building formed single axis north south public throne hall residential halls surrounding lesser functional halls pavilion king court initially construction grand palace king ordered location copy built ancient throne hall located old palace destroyed years earlier new throne hall given construction began finished hall king celebrated coronation ceremony entire hall struck lighting burnt ground place king ordered construction new hall different design result disaster king predicted dynasty years foundation prophecy recorded diary princess reign reading years later king remarked years short princess inadvertently dropped prophecy present minds people months dynasty anniversary celebrations revolution carried revolution replaced absolute monarchy monarchs constitutional monarchy constitution ceremonial residential divided new halls held inside hall king death hall official lying state custom remains kings queens high ranking members royal family placed hall official mourning period entrance building group gates northern end wall gates decorated chinese floral patterns open public dominates group throne hall built symmetrical plan roof topped tall hall considered ideal thai traditional architecture aspect exterior decoration throne hall symbolism hall build shape tall mountain represent mythological centre universe divided sections lower section base formed seven superimposed layers layer representing level heaven accordance buddhist middle section shape bell flattened create sided shape represents ashes interred section similar depicting tapered lotus crystal drop signifying escape cycle supported sides symbol represents mythical creatures forest surrounding decorated figure riding figure king association hindu deity according legend descended heaven human form help mankind suffering deity represents ideal qualities king throne hall stands high base convex concave layer according thai beliefs resembles lion foot lion symbol family alludes royal heritage unusual feature throne hall small porch projecting building porch stands echoes larger building high base throne surrounded praying deities reign king throne king appeared vassal states later certain ceremonies doors hall situated sides throne interior walls throne hall painted lotus design arranged geometric pattern lotus seated praying deities common thai motif associated holy places ceiling octagonal shape section directly decorated glass mosaic stars impression heavenly interior panel door window depicted standing deities facing holding weapons guards king thickness walls allow spaces wall decorated decorated murals depicting trees chinese style arms plan contains different use different royal functions included mother pearl throne stands centre hall intersecting points arms square shaped throne entirely mother pearl dating reign king saved throne hall burnt throne topped umbrella eastern mother pearl bed match mother pearl throne bed king personal bed kept inside longer transferred bed form high platform layers small steps leading royal ceremonies carried throne hall member royal family seat southern government officials sit north buddhist monks east funeral west times throne bed images mother pearl throne half throne southern wall throne hall opens like window hall style throne similar porch outside throne built reign king order palace women attend important ceremonies window screen separating men arriving outside located directly residential palace built king main royal apartment time residential use palace declined eventually ended hall ceremonial venue throne hall built traditional thai style rectangular shape east west south sides hall surrounded columns outside surrounding hall gardens reign king meeting hall members royal family functions hall provided venue ceremonies individuals awarded state orders decorations member royal family hall conjunction main venue state open pavilion built platform east wall group pavilion built king pavilion king change entering premises pavilion king royal mounting platform pavilion considered finest qualities thai traditional architecture proportion style detail smaller replica pavilion exhibited pavilion built layout northern southern ends longer roof topped tiers making seven supported opposed traditional eastern depicts hindu god standing foot raised holding sword left hand right hand raised blessing columns pavilion decorated gold silver glass mosaic floral pattern capital columns form long lotus located southern end eastern wall closed rectangular building built council chamber use king ministers trip europe king installed queen regent presided council meetings tradition repeated regent presided council king briefly entered monk occasionally building king private audiences peculiar characteristic building projecting roof line feature common period closed pavilion situated western wall group pavilion built king room building thai style rectangular shaped hall walkway leading floor mount miniature model mythical built reign king miniature mountain setting important ceremony called ancient rite passage performed royal prince princess age thirteen ceremony lasting seven days festivities involves bath cutting traditional hair royal child act king hair later thrown river offering purpose miniature palace summit ceremony place lower mountain populated stone sculptures miniature mythical animals mount situated walk way area considered opened public garden situated easternmost middle court considered separate state buildings throne halls garden present form king contains royal residences religious buildings years structures built demolished kings garden created behest king private retreat called changed right garden embellished garden transformed pleasure garden inhabitants greatest change area occurred reign king entire garden turned new residential palace palace composed buildings styles sizes king use buildings complex named building group east west axis reception halls east residential halls west buildings built combination thai western styles principal building group european style grand audience chamber king receive foreign missions buildings included king primary residential hall observatory hall reign king building group dilapidated eventually demolished names halls later assumed new royal buildings example new throne hall palace king area turned private garden use gave garden present new garden contained old buildings new additions small lawn south western corner called turtle garden layout garden remained unchanged present day largest structure garden located northernmost end storey residence constructed reign king new palace built site old king demolished new palace intended gift prince originally named construction finished prince died age completed palace handed heir ascended throne later gave palace present supervision foreign architects german modern building grand palace designed accommodate carriages exterior walls embellished elaborate plaster designs triangular semi circular decorated floral motifs palace distinctive roof covered dark grey slate tiles façade building main central emblem crown prince architectural style exterior decoration building entirely western interior decorations entirely thai central hall situated dome decorated murals god depicted thai style thai inscriptions composed king accession throne king occasionally stayed palace king vii stayed palace nights coronation king palace main place residence return thailand switzerland december lived palace younger brother later king mother princess morning june palace bore witness mysterious unexplained death gunshot king later refurbished palace added extra wing extending south currently palace open public serves official guest house visiting entourage southeast guest houses use entourage state visitors small pavilion built wall garden buildings pavilion style roof decorated glass mosaic pavilion built king monument father king completion ashes king moved housed pavilion death king ashes moved image hall currently pavilion houses images located southern eastern end garden thai style style seven tiers built reign king house metal statues predecessors cast hall royal lives previous monarchs commemorated later king statues removed temple compound public april ceremony worship inaugurated ceremony continues performed annually removal statues left vacant small open pavilion wood built king pavilion situated northern edge lawn south palace pavilion decorated flame motif black bear insignia king king pavilion place rest seat garden parties hall situated centre garden religious building shrine image called brought built purpose king built grey stone tier green title roof pillars running outside open gallery religious ceremonies performed past referred simply literally inside occupies southernmost grand palace complex area reserved exclusively use king queens minor wives women called forbidden women harm general populace inhabitants court king children multitude ladies waiting servants king royal drawn ranks royalty nobility usually daughters rulers tributary states royal ended practice reign king refused household ended officially king vii early 20th century outlawed practice took consort queen time inhabitants court finally disappeared decades historically town complete divided narrow streets shops government schools warehouses laws law courts exclusively controlled women royal women men special repair work doctors admitted eyes female guards king sons permitted live inside reached ceremonies sent outside palace education currently inhabitants buildings purpose entire court closed public population varied different periods accounts large queen consort household women ladies waiting usually recruited noble families minor servants minor wife consort fairly large household increase significantly gave birth king child elevated rank consort mother royal lady separate establishment size proportion rank status accordance palace law altogether population numbered nearly inhabitants populated small low lying structures surrounded gardens ponds course late 19th century new residential houses constructed space resulting conditions buildings remain constructed reign king western styles residences vary size divided categories small royal houses distributed inhabitants accordance rank stature court surrounded separated rest grand palace second set walls parallel ring palace walls punctuated set gates connects outside entrance gates strictly monitored main building groups built residential halls situated south boundary middle inner court residential spaces king focal point palace life lives palace women inside immediately residential halls large royal high ranking queen surrounding smaller belonging belonging princess consort finally lower end southernmost row houses low ranking residences functioned facto secondary layer surveillance edges governed series laws known palace laws literally palace maintenance law laws dated times deal hierarchy status women deal behaviour conduct order discipline inhabitants enforced regiment female guards guards described prince tough looking head body known inside command officials officials specific responsibilities concerning life responsibilities included duties concerning discipline maintenance buddhist images guarding gates inner treasury expenditure main duties accompany men admitted area remain left controlled traffic court like regular soldiers person importance passed streets ran ahead cleared way night patrolled streets lamps behalf wives death women man punishment met young nobleman minor wife having affair children king born inside detail birth royal child recorded including time birth later court cast ceremonies concerning birth rites passage child performed walls birth royal child announced succession women proclaimed news streets waiting inside women outside men carry official proclamation shell child prince struck times children live respective mothers educated special schools court women inside level freedom outside life inside life easier outside provided women usually entered palace girls remained inside rest lives girls assigned certain duties pages grew older wives mothers household look reign king women palace time allowed leave required obtain permission strictly physician wrote evidence freedom unhappy surroundings opponent tell book english published set inside defensive walls walls grand palace constructed reign king later reign king grand palace walls extended south cannon replaced guard houses given names northern wall measures metres east metres south metres west metres total metres gates outer walls inside palace gates labyrinth inner walls demolished outer walls small forts eastern wall facing road throne halls located north eastern wall opposite temple small rectangular pavilion built wall palace pavilion roof tiers covered tiles exterior decorated black glass mosaic pavilion built king viewing platform observe royal religious going road pavilion time main shrine figure moved current shrine situated south eastern wall grand palace hall sits eastern wall built king imitation walls originally called sung high pavilion entirely wood open air structure reign king iii new structure built brick mortar new structure renamed hall king audiences public view military new structure consists stories lower western style level thai design central pavilion wooden balcony king royal family granting public audiences roof central pavilion topped tier style decorated glass mosaic hall wings stretching north south large windows exterior later reign king entire structure refurbished finally given present gates grand palace gates literally door walls massive gates built brick mortar topped style gates painted white gigantic red doors outer gates given names starting north west clockwise direction east wall south wall west wall forts walls grand palace seventeen forts originally later additions small structures usually small cannon forts given names north wall corner fort east wall wing corner fort south wall corner fort west wall museum temple despite main artefacts grand palace temple complex museum located outer middle court sits opposite building constructed present location reign king king ordered mint enlarged long building destroyed fire needed rebuilt structure rectangular plan columns stems leaf capitals building renaissance style plaster lower exterior walls brick upper windows semi circular french windows sides new royal mint department constructed outside palace walls old mint building left vacant building converted use royal guards barracks later royal guards officer club anniversary year founding building grand palace building selected site new museum established princess hold certain architectural elements replaced artefacts images donated grand palace general public ground floor museum displays varied selection artefacts included certain architectural elements removed buildings grand palace different renovations stone images chinese statues included figures thai literature stone figures date reign king iii later moved museum prevent damage central hall bones white elephants elephants actually white certain special characteristics pinkish cream eyes white elephant important symbol monarch possessed greater prestige belief animal common south east asian cultures upper floor rooms display artistic precious objects main hall architectural models grand palace representing grand palace reign king reign king numerous images commemorative coins doorway leading main hall small mother pearl seating platform known located platform informal audiences dates time king end main hall stands throne believed date brought king monk walls hall different images style purchased king room right displays seasonal robes left main hall screen depicting king gods screen kept saved fire apparently hands king rest upper floor displays art model images
Grand Palace