Grand Palace

The Royal Grand Palace of Thailand

The Royal Grand Palace is a square complex of buildings begun in 1782 as a royal residence to the Emerald Buddha, Thailand’s most sacred image. That same year Rama I (first king of the Chakri dynasty) moved the capital of Siam (old Thailand) to Bangkok.

The reign of King Rama V

King Rama V is said to have been the greatest of the Chakri kings because he revolutionized the country. He ended the ancient custom of prostration, abolished slavery, founded schools and hospitals, built railroads, introduced electric lighting, encouraged use of the automobile, and modernized the army and navy. While the Western powers colonized Southeast Asia, he kept Siam free and independent.