Challenge for Thailand Tourism after Tsunami (3)
Grand Palace

From the Editor

The Royal Grand Palace is a historical tourism object in Thailand, which located in the City of Bangkok. Here, you can find a lot of shrines and statues, attractive for foreign tourists. Grand Palace opened daily from 09.30 - 15.15 with the entrance ticket of 250 Bath.

There are 9 buildings existing in Grand Palace with each different shape and functions:
1. Palace, which built in 1782. This palace is just for King’s family, but used as government office related with Buddha’s shrines. This palace is about 218,000 M2 wide and surrounded by 1,900 meter walls.
2. Building for the Buddhist, is the amazing site in Thailand, where the Buddhist show their highest respect and honour on Buddha’s doctrine. The Buddha statue inside this building is covered with gold. Inside the room or worshipping site, visitor is not allowed to take any pictures, wear shoes, and must sit with your feet behind. On each season exchange (rainy, cold, and hot), King of Thailand will change the costume of the Buddha statue.
3. Top Level, where we can find four foremost shrines as the ancient historic in the shape of gold shrine, special for Buddhist worshipping site protected by pala leaf. A miniature from Angkor Wat was made at the command of King Mongkut (Rama IV), where Angkor Wat exactly sited in Siem Rep, Cambodia.
4. The Family Gathering Hall. At north side, under the top building, there are three interesting buildings, they are: Library (Hor Phra Monthian Dharma), at the west side that face to face with this building is called as the finest building in Bangkok; a finest temple (Phra Wiharn Yod) contains of several Buddha statues; Greatest Hall for emperor families (Hor Phra Naga), contains of cremation ash from the late king’s families.
Go to the west there are small private building which are Hor Phra Rajhphongsanusorn at the south side and Hor Phra Rajkoramanusorn at the north. Hor Phra Rajkoramanusorn contains with the paintings of Buddha to memorize the past King from Ayuthaya, whilst Hor phra Rajhpongsanusoron is decorated with paintings to honour the ancestor of previous dynastys. Hor Phra Rajkoramanosorn also decorated by several paintings of Khrua in kong, famous painter during the government of Rama IV.
5. Gallery, the place for priests and their relatives, surrounded by the gallery with decorated walls of paintings from Ramakie. Firstly painted King Rama I and since then was stored well. The first panting is found at the eastern gate, in front of Pra Wiharn Yod. There also exist the painting of Rama (the Ramayana story) from Ayodya saving his wife, Sita, kidnapped by Toksatan (Rahwana), the King of Longka. At the last gate, we can see the painting of the most determining battle, where the King Longka Toksatan (Rahwana) lost his live.
6. The Complex of Phra Maha Monthian Group. This area consists of 3 main buildings called Amarindra Winitchai, Taksin hall, and Chakraphat Phima hall that provided for public. These buildings were made in 1785 during the government of King Rama I. Used for several ceremonies like celebration of King’s birthday. Inside this building, there is a throne decorated with a white umbrella of Paisal Taksin hall, the place where the ceremony is executed. A glorious seat exist which is used by the king to welcome the private or royal guest. Chakraphat Phiman is used by the King Rama I, Rama II, and Rama III in row for resting place more or less in 1 day 1 and night. The wall decorated with few animals paintings as the power symbol of the kingdom.
7. The Complex of Chakri. Chakri Maha Prasat was built by King Chulalongkorn (King Rama V), and finished in 1882, the same year with the birthday of Bangkok City. This Chakri Complex contains 3 parts which are centre part and two wings. The main part has many utilities, mostly for guest reception from other countries ambassador. The wall decorated with paintings retold the reception of diplomatic guests in ancient times. Mongkut, just like King Mongkut receives a guest from British Empire, Sir James Bowring. The next wall exist the painting of King Mongkut (Rama IV) welcoming the Queen Victoria from Buckingham Palace. And more paintings stored on the wall such as the visit of Louis XIV, and Napoleon.
8. The Complex of Dusit. This complex consists of 2 parts, which are: Dusit Maha Prasat Hall and Amphorn Phimok Pavilion. Dusit Maha Prasat was built by King Rama I, using the wood material which called Amarintharapisek Maha Prasat was burnt in 1970. King Rama I want this building just like Suriyamin building in Ayodya.
9. Borom Phiman Hall, is a western style building which built in 1903 by King Rama V and used by the next king for royal ceremony.

Shopping Centre
Besides culture attractions, Bangkok also has several shopping centres such as Pratunam (just like what exists in Bali; Sukawati Art Market in Gianyar, and Kumbasari Market in Denpasar) and MBK Mall (musch alike with Kuta Centro).
Pratunam is located along Ratchaprarop Street. This shopping site offers many traditional up to luxurious items, such as fashions up to souvenirs. Each counter sells special characteristic products with affordable prices.
Another shopping center is called China Town sited between Ratchawong and Yaowarat Street. This market is a traditional market that sells various fundamental requirements, souvenirs, dolls, toys, fashions and also electronic stuffs.
Just like the MBK Mall, MBK Center is a seventh floor building, which offers varieties of products. This shopping site is daily crowded by people up to 9 pm.
Shopping in Bangkok isn’t easy, because many merchants sell their goods at high prices. We should be clever to bargain, but it won’t work for genuine and branded stuff.
Sometimes you can find many funny things in this shopping site. For example, if the buyer and seller can’t understand each other (they use different language), they will only see and write the nominal on the calculator. And if they agree with the nominal then the seller will give the goods and the buyer will pay the nominal as on the calculator.
Don’t worry if you walk until late. If mall or restaurants are closed, you can still find a place to eat, because cloister shops are open. They sell delicious Thai foods. We tasted it, and it’s very exciting and only 25 Bath.
(BTN/budarsana)