First off, the Grand Palace has a dress code that prohibits sandals, flip-flops, tank tops, shorts, and short skirts. All of these guideline are strictly enforces except for the sandals... I actually saw many people walking around in sandals and would choose to wear them if I ever make it back again.

My girlfriend and I walked to the Grand Palace from our B&B (The Four Inn) in about 10-15minutes. As we drew near, we were approached by many people trying to sell us long pants, but we were already prepared (see tip#2 below), thanks to the advice of our guide books. We arrived at 9.30AM on a weekday, and there were quite a lot of people there already. However, it was not overly crowded and we were able to make our way through the complex unhampered. There is a lot to see here, so be prepared to spend at least two hours at the Grand Palace. There are so many distinct buildings, temples, and statues, I feel we could have spent the greater part of a day just walking around had it not been for the hot summer sun beating down on us. The architecture is very detailed and unique, with lots of bright colors (especially gold). Make sure your camera has plenty of memory and battery power, as it will undoubtedly get quite a workout here.

Tips for the Grand Palace:
1) Beware of "tour guides" telling you that the palace is closed. They're only trying to get you to jump on their Tuk Tuk so that they can take you somewhere else for a commission.
2) You must wear long pants or dresses when visiting the Grand Palace. I brought a lightweight pair of pants that allow me to zip off the legs and convert into shorts. These were perfect, as I walked to/from the palace in shorts, then explored inside with the pants.
3) I wore tennis shoes because of Lonely Planet's advice to "dress conservatively", although I saw LOTS of people wearing sandals. I would advise all visiotrs to also wear sandals, as the tennis shoes were extremely hot...
4) Lonely Planet also advises visitors to wear long sleaves, which I did. THIS IS NOT NECESSARY. Short sleaves, and even t-shirts, are fine. Tank tops, however, are a no-no.
5) Go early, as the area fills up rather quickly. Also, the heat is a big concern as you will be outside in the sun for the majority of the time.
6) Bring LOTS of water... although you can buy bottled water at the palace if you're in a pinch.

This is a must see tourist attraction in Bangkok. Despite the crowds of people and tour buses, it really took my breath away when I walked in. All the monuments, statues, and architecture were very well kept and displayed in vibrant colors – gold and oranges. The sheer size of the monuments was extremely impressive.

It can take a couple of hours to walk around the Palace and see all the intricate details in the architecture, as well as dodge the tour groups! There is a huge mural that documents life during the time which the palace was constructed. There are lots of deities and other Buddha like relics on display (and are great photo ops!). It’s also interesting to see the visiting monks look at everything and take photos.

It does get very warm, so make sure you bring water, as it is not sold inside the palace. They do sell cold towels for 15 baht, which are totally worth it. The dress code is conservative – you must wear pants and a shirt with sleeves. You can purchase a sarong or long pants outside the temple from any of the souvenir stands (lots of hustlers trying to make a buck!!). The entrance fee is 250 baht/person.

The Grand Palace and the adjacent Temple of the Emerald Buddha must be on every visitor’s itinerary. This complex rivals the very best European palaces and cathedrals in interest and architectural attraction. From certain angles, this represents all that is best about Thailand and Thai culture. It is a sight guaranteed to impress the most blasé traveler.

The huge white walled complex is in the center of ‘historic Bangkok’. The palace was originally built in 1782 by the first king who ruled from Bangkok. Since then almost every other king has added to it so that today the complex is an amazing mixture of architectural styles that somehow work together to create a very impressive feature. The Grand Palace is no longer used as a royal residence but it is used for state functions, the presentation of ambassador credentials and some other ceremonies.

The best part of the original palace building is known as the Dusit Group and the Phra Maha Montien Group. The main building is a splendid example of classic Thai architecture with its four-tiered roof and nine-tiered spire. Near the main building is a beautiful pavilion where the king alighted before entering the main audience hall. Please take a close look – it really is exquisite. You can see the reception rooms of what was once a royal residence.

The Chakri Group of halls was built by King Chulalongkorn (Rama 5) in 1882 in a style incorporating both Thai and Western architectural elements. The central throne room with its four canvases is a highlight. The Temple of the Emerald Buddha adjoins the palace and serves as the royal temple. (See a separate entry for this.)

Admission to both the temple and Grand Palace is 250 Baht. Opening hours are from 8.30am to 3.30pm. There is a strict dress code which my wife, in calf-length pants, did not meet. It appeared that about 25% of foreign female visitors (and a few males) were also pulled up. You need a shirt with sleeves, fully-covered legs and covered feet. T-shirts, see-through clothing, bare shoulders, etc. are not permitted.

My wife had to borrow a sarong from the booth near the entrance gate and had to leave a credit card as security. The sarong was pretty and clean but was extremely hot over other clothing as we walked the complex. There appeared to be no water for sale anywhere inside. To avoid this problem, dress conservatively and try to visit early in the morning when crowds are less.

If a person could only visit one site in Bangkok, then the Grand Palace would be the place to choose. It is a large complex of ornate temples, pagadas, pavilions, statues, gardens, and government buildings that has to be the city's number-one tourist stop and perhaps the most reliable place to pick up impressive photos because there is so much to work with. While there are guided tours, it is easy enough to pick up a map with your admission ticket learn about each structure from a guidebook. The Thai royal family no longer resides here, but there are still ceremonial guards and saffron-robed monks to be seen on the grounds, as well as a small army of groundskeepers who keep things looking good. Our favorite photo opportunities include the golden pagada and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, but there are many, many more. Make sure you have a lot of film or plenty of space on your digital card. Any taxi driver can take you there, and cabs are cheap in Bangkok, so save your money and skip the bus tour unless you really need the extra service.

A must-visit for all travellers to Bangkok, the Grand Palace is located next to Phra Keow Temple. This glorious art of building is a feast to your eyes. Visitors pay 250 baht to gain access to three parts of the compound. For the uninitiated, Grand Palace will prove to be a journey into Thailand's rich history of monarchy, brilliant architecture, and Buddhist roots.

The best way to beat the traffic is get there via the river taxis. Stop at the Tha Thien Pier and the Grand Palace is within a 5-minute walk. Temples are highly sacred grounds in Thailand, and visitors are required to cover their shoulders, feet, and knees.

As if enshrouded in an air of serene religiosity, packs of pigeons/doves greet visitors before the entrance. Inside the compound, visitors are greeted by a ceremony of soldiers changing shifts. The full glory and magnificence of the temples can only be relished by your eyes, with intricate carvings on every walls, surrounded by lamps and pillars of murals depicting the myths of Thai history. In one of the temples is the Emerald Buddha, clothed in different robes according to different seasons. Long halls lit by exquisite lamps flanked the individual temples, which are a rich gold colour. It is a blend of Asian and European-inspired architecture. Richly crafted rooftops fit on European buildings somehow depict the Bangkok of today--a fusion of Western commercialisation and rich Asian heritage.

Renovation works were in progress while we were there. Even then, the neatly kept compound where the palace used to house royalties is an interesting juxtaposition of West meets East. The only drawback is that all signs are in Thai and visitors unwilling to pay the 200 baht for guided tours may not be able to fully comprehend the rich history of the temples.