Bangkok - Lak Mueang, Grand Palace, Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Siam Niramit

Sunday, February 25, 2018

We began our day with a tour of the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. On the way to the Grand Palace we passed Lak Mueang where the city pillars are located in a shrine which houses the city spirit deity. Bangkok's Lak Mueang is near the Grand Palace.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lak_Mueang

White Walls Surround the Grand Palace

The Grand Palace has been the official residence of the kings of Siam/Thailand since 1782. Although no longer the primary residence of the king, the Grand Palace is still used for state functions and ceremonies. The Grand Palace is made up of many buildings and courtyards. The Temple of the Emerald Buddha is within the palace walls. It is the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand and contains the Emerald Buddha. Only the king or the crown prince can change the robes on the Emerald Buddha with the change of the seasons. The Emerald Buddha provides protection for the kingdom. The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew date back to the late 18th Century.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Palace

Wat Phra Kaew - Wikipedia

Lak Mueang

Chakri Maha Prasat - Grand Palace Throne Hall

Inside the Grand Palace Walls

Phra Mondop - The Library at Wat Phra Kaew

Exterior Inlays and Reliefs - Ubosoth at Wat Phra Kaew

We ended the day at Siam Niramit for the evening performance. Before the show, we were able to wander through the various reproductions of village life from various districts of Thailand. Additionally, there were dance performances representing the different ethnic groups living in the country. There were even elephants posing for visitors and elephant rides were available. The stage performance was spectacular and we were provided headsets to hear a narrative of the story line to keep us abreast of what was happening on stage and around us. We enjoy theater and this was among the best.

http://www.siamniramit.com/show.php