The tradition of constructing a Buddhist temple in the precincts of the Royal Palace has existed in Thailand since the Sukhothai period (1240-c. 1438 A.D.). When King Rama I (1782-1809) of Bangkok established the city of Bangkok, or Ratanakosin, as his capital in 1782 A.D., he had the Temple of the Emerald Buddha constructed in the eastern section of the Royal Palace in order to install the Emerald Buddha, which he had obtained from the City of Vientiane in Laos. The construction took two years to finish and the famous image was transferred from Thonburi to the present site in 1784. The construction of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in the First Reign can be divided into two periods. During the first the boundaries of the Temple on the north and the east were even more limiting than at the present time. The temple compound was enclosed by galleries (no. 22 on the plan, at the back), and in the south was built the ubosoth (the ordination hall, no.1) enshrining the Emerald Buddha as its main image. Other construction, as we shall see, was to follow.

Open: Daily from 8.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m.(except during special royal ceremonies)
Admission: 200 baht. (including a ticket to Vimanmek Royal Mansion)
Proper attire is essential
Personal Audio Guide in English, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Japanese and Mandarin: 250 baht
Tel: 0-2623-5500,0-2222-0094, 0-2222-6889
www.palaces.thai.net