the Royal Palace complex

The Royal Palace complex is huge, comprising a number of smaller wats, the temple which houses the famous emerald Budhha and the royal palace itself, together with other formal reception rooms and a museum.


These ferocious figures protect the 4 entrances into the complex





The golden stupa shining in the afternoon sun



The complexity and variety of the colours and patterns were a feast to the eyes






These half male and half female figures are called kinnarees




Huge ceramic jars are placed at intervals around the complexes, they are both decorative and functional inasmuch as the teeming hordes in fish in them eat the mosquito larvae




Warriors made of glass mosaics


This building houses the statue of the emeral budhha - it's about 70cm tall but photographs are not permitted inside



All around the outer parts of the complex are colonnaded walks with spectacular murals of Thailand's mythological history. The pictures are continuously being restored as they are easily damaged by humidity





other views within the complex







and finally, the royal palace itself - built in european style