The Grand Palace in Bangkok
The Grand Palace, a complex of buildings on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, served as the official residence of the king of Thailand from the 18th century to the mid-20th century. After the death of King Ananda Mahidol in the Baromphiman Palace, King Bhumibol moved the official royal residence to Chitralada Palace. Construction of the palace complex began in 1782, during the reign of Rama I.
The other Approaches to the palace are protected by a defensive wall of 1,900 metres in length, which encloses an area of 218,400 square metres. Further out from the wall is a canal, also created for defensive purposes, making the area surrounding the palace an island, known as Rattana Kosin.
Description courtesy Wikipedia (2006).
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