My previous upload showed this Grand Palace Chedi without people so I thought I'd upload this one which gives a more typical account of the experience. Despite the heat and humidity of Bangokok in July the Palace swarmed with people, I guess that shouldn't be too surprising given just how amazing the place is.
Click here to see photos from this and a previous trip to Thailand : www.flickr.com/photos/darrellg/albums/72157600177340620
From Wikipedia : "The Grand Palace is a complex of buildings at the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. The palace has been the official residence of the Kings of Siam (and later Thailand) since 1782. The king, his court and his royal government were based on the grounds of the palace until 1925. King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), resided at Chitralada Royal Villa and his successor Vajiralongkorn at Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall, both in the Dusit Palace, but the Grand Palace is still used for official events. Several royal ceremonies and state functions are held within the walls of the palace every year. The palace is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Thailand.
Construction of the palace began on May 6, 1782, at the order of King Phutthayotfa Chulalok (Rama I), the founder of the Chakri Dynasty, when he moved the capital city from Thonburi to Bangkok. Throughout successive reigns, many new buildings and structures were added, especially during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). By 1925, the king, the Royal Family and the government were no longer permanently settled at the palace, and had moved to other residences. After the abolition of absolute monarchy in 1932, all government agencies completely moved out of the palace.
In shape, the palace complex is roughly rectangular and has a combined area of 218,400 square metres (2,351,000 sq ft), surrounded by four walls. It is situated on the banks of the Chao Phraya River at the heart of the Rattanakosin Island, today in the Phra Nakhon District. The Grand Palace is bordered by Sanam Luang and Na Phra Lan Road to the north, Maharaj Road to the west, Sanamchai Road to the east and Thai Wang Road to the south.
Rather than being a single structure, the Grand Palace is made up of numerous buildings, halls, pavilions set around open lawns, gardens and courtyards. Its asymmetry and eclectic styles are due to its organic development, with additions and rebuilding being made by successive reigning kings over 200 years of history. It is divided into several quarters: the Temple of the Emerald Buddha; the Outer Court, with many public buildings; the Middle Court, including the Phra Maha Monthien Buildings, the Phra Maha Prasat Buildings and the Chakri Maha Prasat Buildings; the Inner Court and the Siwalai Gardens quarter. The Grand Palace is currently partially open to the public as a museum, but it remains a working palace, with several royal offices still situated inside."
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© D.Godliman
Tags: Thailand - Bangkok - Grand Palace - Golden Chedi 02_DSC5885
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Despite appearances the Grand Palace in Bangkok was very busy when I visited recently, not least because there are still large numbers of mourners coming to visit their king who is still lying in state for several months yet.
I had to probably wait a good ten minutes in the extreme heat and humidity to get a shot of this golden Chedi without any tourists. Luckily I'd allowed best part of a whole day to take photos at this most amazing sight so I wasn't in any hurry.
Click here to see photos from this and a previous trip to Thailand : www.flickr.com/photos/darrellg/albums/72157600177340620
From Wikipedia : "The Grand Palace is a complex of buildings at the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. The palace has been the official residence of the Kings of Siam (and later Thailand) since 1782. The king, his court and his royal government were based on the grounds of the palace until 1925. King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), resided at Chitralada Royal Villa and his successor Vajiralongkorn at Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall, both in the Dusit Palace, but the Grand Palace is still used for official events. Several royal ceremonies and state functions are held within the walls of the palace every year. The palace is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Thailand.
Construction of the palace began on May 6, 1782, at the order of King Phutthayotfa Chulalok (Rama I), the founder of the Chakri Dynasty, when he moved the capital city from Thonburi to Bangkok. Throughout successive reigns, many new buildings and structures were added, especially during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). By 1925, the king, the Royal Family and the government were no longer permanently settled at the palace, and had moved to other residences. After the abolition of absolute monarchy in 1932, all government agencies completely moved out of the palace.
In shape, the palace complex is roughly rectangular and has a combined area of 218,400 square metres (2,351,000 sq ft), surrounded by four walls. It is situated on the banks of the Chao Phraya River at the heart of the Rattanakosin Island, today in the Phra Nakhon District. The Grand Palace is bordered by Sanam Luang and Na Phra Lan Road to the north, Maharaj Road to the west, Sanamchai Road to the east and Thai Wang Road to the south.
Rather than being a single structure, the Grand Palace is made up of numerous buildings, halls, pavilions set around open lawns, gardens and courtyards. Its asymmetry and eclectic styles are due to its organic development, with additions and rebuilding being made by successive reigning kings over 200 years of history. It is divided into several quarters: the Temple of the Emerald Buddha; the Outer Court, with many public buildings; the Middle Court, including the Phra Maha Monthien Buildings, the Phra Maha Prasat Buildings and the Chakri Maha Prasat Buildings; the Inner Court and the Siwalai Gardens quarter. The Grand Palace is currently partially open to the public as a museum, but it remains a working palace, with several royal offices still situated inside."
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© D.Godliman
Tags: Thailand - Bangkok - Grand Palace - Golden Chedi 01_DSC6012
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Not an obvious shot to post from Bangkok but this was one of the first I took as the Amanda Levete Architects designed Central Embassy Shopping complex was very close to my hotel.
Those familiar with the interior of the Birmingham Selfridges might spot a similarity. This isn't a coincidence as Amanda Levete was previously one of the Partners of Future Systems.
Click here to see photos from this and a previous trip to Thailand : www.flickr.com/photos/darrellg/albums/72157600177340620
From the ALA website : "Central Embassy brings a distinguishing new silhouette in the city, one that opens out both to the street and the skyline, and extends an invitation to the people of Bangkok and the world beyond.
Located within the former gardens of the British Embassy, along Ploenchit Road, Bangkok’s primary commercial artery, the 1.5 million sq ft mixed use project merges a seven storey luxury retail podium and a 27 storey five star Park Hyatt hotel tower into a cohesive, architectural entity.
The hotel and shopping mall are bound together using the notion of a continual looped form to give a more intuitive merging between plinth and tower and between the programmes."
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© D.Godliman
Tags: Thailand - Bangkok - Central Embassy interior 02_DSC5802
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Not an obvious shot to post from Bangkok but this was one of the first I took as the Amanda Levete Architects designed Central Embassy Shopping complex was very close to my hotel.
Those familiar with the interior of the Birmingham Selfridges might spot a similarity. This isn't a coincidence as Amanda Levete was previously one of the Partners of Future Systems.
Click here to see photos from this and a previous trip to Thailand : www.flickr.com/photos/darrellg/albums/72157600177340620
From the ALA website : "Central Embassy brings a distinguishing new silhouette in the city, one that opens out both to the street and the skyline, and extends an invitation to the people of Bangkok and the world beyond.
Located within the former gardens of the British Embassy, along Ploenchit Road, Bangkok’s primary commercial artery, the 1.5 million sq ft mixed use project merges a seven storey luxury retail podium and a 27 storey five star Park Hyatt hotel tower into a cohesive, architectural entity.
The hotel and shopping mall are bound together using the notion of a continual looped form to give a more intuitive merging between plinth and tower and between the programmes."
My Website : Twitter : Facebook : Instagram : Photocrowd
© D.Godliman
Tags: Thailand - Bangkok - Central Embassy interior 01_DSC5800
© All Rights Reserved
During our brief stay in Bangkok recenty we ventured out to Ancient Siam park on the edge of Bangkok. We spent a wonderful day exploring the landscaped park with over 100 buildings representing the various styles of Thai architecture. The place is so large people either cycle around or choose to hire a golf cart as we did.
This is my probably my favourite photo from that day, not least as I created the dramatic sidelighting in this fisheye shot by closing the pair of doors behind me.........
Click here to see photos from this and a previous trip to Thailand : www.flickr.com/photos/darrellg/albums/72157600177340620
You can find out more here if you're intersted : en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Siam
From Wikipedia : "Ancient Siam (also known as Ancient City, Thai: เมืองโบราณ, Mueang Boran) is a park constructed under the patronage of Lek Viriyaphant and spreading over 200 acres (0.81 km2) in the shape of Thailand.
The founder's original idea was to create a golf course with miniatures of Thailand's historically significant structures spread around the course. During his research he found most structures severely damaged and decided instead to create new miniatures, to save the original structures when possible, or to re-create them full size or scaled down.
Ancient Siam is dubbed as the world's largest outdoor museum. Close to the Crocodile Farm in Samut Prakan province, the 320-hectare 'city' features 116 structures of Thailand's famous monuments and architectural attractions. The grounds of Ancient Siam correspond roughly to the shape of the Kingdom, with the monuments lying at their correct places geographically. Some of the buildings are life-size replicas of existing or former sites, while others are scaled down.
The replicas were constructed with the assistance of experts from the National Museum to ensure historical accuracy. Outstanding works include the former Grand Palace of Ayutthaya (destroyed in the Burmese invasion of 1767), Phimai Sanctuary in Nakhon Ratchasima, and Wat Khao Phra Viharn on the Cambodian border."
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© D.Godliman
Tags: Thailand - Bangkok - Ancient City 78 - Temple Interior_DSC6297
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