Grand Palace was the dwelling place of the King from the 1700's until the middle of the 1900's. The current king, Bhumibol, now lives in the Chitralada Palace. As such, Grand Palace has been able to be converted into a tourist attraction, the area filled with automatic telling machines and boutiques selling various souvenirs. The palace for the most part is used for various ceremonies. You must dress appropriately in order to be let in to the area, given that the palace is very holy. This implies covered shoes as well as legs and shoulders. Sunglasses are not obligatory but recommendable as to protect your eyes from the blinding reflection from all the precious metal decorating the place. Notable are all the well-dressed Thais outside of the palace that will nearly convince you that the palace is closed. Often this is not the case, so just continue right on past them to the main entrance and find out for your self what the deal is. Wat Pho, Wat Kaew and Grand Palace are all grouped in the same place and the easiest and most pleasant way of getting here is to take the river boat from the Sky Train - Station Saphan Thaksi, disembark at Pier 8 Tha Chang
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