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Grand Palace (Thai. พระบรมมหาราชวัง, Phrabarommaharatchawang) is a complex of buildings in Bangkok, Thailand. The Grand Palace served as the residence of the kings of Thailand from the 18th century onward. Construction of the palace began in 1782, during the reign of King Rama I, when he moved the country's capital from Thonburi to Bangkok. The palace was constantly expanded, and over time many new buildings and structures for various purposes were erected. At present, the palace is not used as the residence of the kings of Thailand. King Rama IX lives in Chitralada Palace. When King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke (Rama I) decided to move the capital of Siam from Thonburi in the west to Bangkok on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River, he decided to build a new palace of striking splendor to serve as the royal residence and seat of the country's government. Construction began on May 6, 1782.

Flickr, Lucienne Bouwmeester

Angkor Wat[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] or Angkorvoat[11] (Khmer. អង្គរវត្ត [ʔɑŋkɔːvoat] — "the temple of Angkor"[12]) is a gigantic Hindu temple complex in Cambodia dedicated to the god Vishnu. It is one of the largest religious structures ever created[10] and one of the most important archaeological monuments in the world. It was built in the first half of the 12th century during the reign of King Suryavarman II. As part of the urban complex of Angkor, it is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List[10]. Angkor Wat is located 5.5 km north of the modern city of Siem Reap, the capital of the Cambodian province of the same name, and forms part of the temple complex built in the area of the ancient capital of the Khmer state, the city of Angkor. Most likely, the name "Angkor" comes from the word 'nagara' (Sanskrit. : नगर), meaning "city". In Khmer it is read as 'noko' (Khmer. : នគរ — "kingdom, country, city"), but in colloquial speech it is much easier for Khmers to pronounce 'ongko'.

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The Golden Stupa is part of the Bangkok Royal Palace complex, which contains luxurious temples, museums, and other notable structures. Among them, the large stupa, gleaming in the sun and visible from afar, makes the strongest impression. It serves as an excellent landmark: in most cases, it is precisely by it that people determine the direction toward the Royal Palace.

The Royal Palace began to be built at the end of the 17th century by order of Rama I. Construction of the Golden Stupa — one of the elements of the Buddhist temple Wat Saket — was undertaken in 1800 by Rama III. During construction, the architects did not take into account the softness of the soil, and the unfinished stupa collapsed, so it was later decided to create an artificial hill with a diameter of half a kilometer for it.

On this hill, Rama IV then ordered the installation of an 18-meter stupa, completely covered with golden mosaic. Thanks to its grand height (at least by the standards of the time of construction) and abundance of gold, this place received the name Phu Khao Thong – Golden Mountain.

Inside the stupa are stored relics of the Buddha, which makes this place sacred for Buddhists. Every year in November, a festival is held here in honor of the ancient Loy Krathong holiday dedicated to the spirit of water and light.

Flickr, WanderingtheWorld (www.ChrisFord.com)

Wat Phra Kaeo (Thai. วัดพระแก้ว, full name Thai. วัดพระศรีรัตนศาสดาราม or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha) is a Buddhist temple in the historic center of Bangkok, one of the most sacred places in Thailand. Inside the temple is kept the "Emerald Buddha" — a statue 66 cm high, carved from a single piece of jade in the 15th century. According to one legend, it was covered with gold plates; according to another, it was inside another statue, but one made of clay. The image was found in 1431 in one of the temples of Chiang Rai, and later it came into the possession of King Rama I. Several times a year, the temple attendants change the statue's garments in the presence of the monarch or a prince. Outside the temple at its entrance stand two bronze lions, which were brought from Cambodia by King Rama I. The base of the structure is decorated with gilded figures of mystical half-bird, half-human creatures (garudas), while the windows and doors are adorned with patterns. The interior of Wat Phra Kaeo stands out thanks to wall paintings made during the reign of King Rama III.

Flickr, hyperren

In the grand complex of the Royal Palaces of Bangkok, built according to all the canons of Thai architecture, there was also room for Western style. Here stands the Borom Phiman mansion, built in 1903 by King Rama V for his son, the future King Rama VI.

Later, the mansion was used as a residence by three more kings — Rama VII, Rama VIII, and Rama IX. Today the building functions as a guest house for especially important government figures.

Interestingly, the residence inherited its name from the previous royal palace. When King Rama IV, Mongkut, ascended the throne, he had a Borom Phiman residence built on the site of the present-day Sivalai Garden, east of the Phra Maha Monthian complex.

During the reign of Rama V, part of the complex was dismantled, and the name passed to the new building constructed for the future king, then still a prince. The new house was located a little north of the original building.

Rama VI, for his part, renovated the estate and added several innovative solutions. Among the innovations were a quadrangular dome above the interior space, as well as frescoes depicting the Siamese concept of the Vedic gods of India acting as guardians of the Universe: Indra in the east, Yama in the south, Varuna in the west, and Agni in the north.

Flickr, BlizAtk

The Chakri Throne Halls, or Chakri Maha Prasat, are part of the complex of buildings of the Grand Palace of the Thai kings. The original and recognizable building impresses with its eclectic architecture, in which traditional Thai motifs and features of the Italian Neo-Renaissance blend harmoniously.

Above the three stories of European columns, balustrades, balconies, and arched windows soar the gilded slender spires of Thai roofs, supported by ornate multi-tiered pediments. It gives the impression that a roof from a Thai temple was accidentally placed on a dignified Italian palace, but this unexpected combination looks surprisingly organic and magnificent.

The Chakri Complex was built in the 1870s by order of King Rama V as an ensemble of 11 halls for ceremonial receptions and events. Today only three of them have survived, and they are used only occasionally. Mainly, diplomatic receptions and some annual ceremonies conducted by the Thai royal family are held here.

Several rooms on the first floor are open to visitors. Banquets in honor of rulers of other states visiting Thailand are usually held in the Throne Hall. The hall is decorated with paintings depicting historically significant meetings between Thai ambassadors and the monarchs of European empires — Napoleon, Queen Victoria, and others. The other reception halls of the palace are decorated with 148 frescoes featuring scenes from the life of King Rama I. On the second floor, closed to visitors, are the queen's private chambers, while on the third are kept the urns with the ashes of all the kings of the Chakri dynasty.

Flickr, T Ξ Ξ J Ξ

Wat Pho (Thai. วัดโพธิ์), the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, is a Buddhist temple in the center of Bangkok, Thailand. It is located on Rattanakosin Island next to the Grand Palace. It is known as the birthplace of Thai massage. The full name of the temple is Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklararm Rajwaramahaviharn (Thai. วัดพระเชตุพนวิมลมังคลาราม ราชวรมหาวิหาร) or the Temple of the Buddha Awaiting Nirvana. Wat Pho is the oldest temple in Bangkok, built in the 12th century. Here in 1782 General Chakri proclaimed himself King Rama I and founded a new dynasty of rulers of Thailand. He ordered the expansion of the ancient monastery that stood on this site and the construction of a 41 m stupa covered with green mosaic depicting the Buddha of the Ayutthaya school. Later, Rama III built a white stupa in honor of his father, and a yellow stupa was erected in his own honor. The blue stupa was built by order of King Rama IV in honor of Queen Ayutthaya Si Suriyothai.

Flickr, João Cruz Santos

Wat Arun (Thai. วัดอรุณ, Temple of Dawn) is a Buddhist temple in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. It is located on the western bank of the Chao Phraya River. It is known for its 79-meter pagoda, decorated with ceramic tiles and multicolored porcelain. It was built during the reign of King Chessadabodindra (mid-19th century).