The main attraction of any trip to Thailand is, without a doubt, one of the palaces. Thailand’s monarchy is well-known around the world, as is their love of luxury and royal living.
The fact that practically all of Thailand’s palaces are worth visiting demonstrates this point well. Every aspect of these palaces deserves admiration, whether it be the architecture, the style, the interior design, or the wonder of the palace. However, there are several palaces to explore in Thailand.
As a result, it is necessary to identify the best palaces to visit in Thailand and plan your schedule appropriately. The unique carvings and design of Thai palaces will ecstasy you, and it will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of your Thailand holiday!
As a result, be ready to learn more about Thailand’s majestic and impressive palaces!
12 Best Palaces to Visit in Thailand
Hence, it is no surprise that Thailand’s royal palaces, with their complex details, extravagant designs, and luxurious finishes, are among the most stunning in the world. While the majority were created using traditional Thai architecture, those developed later heavily incorporated European design. When you visit Thailand, we advise you to visit these twelve palaces.
- The Grand Palace, BangkokBang
- Pa-In Royal Palace, Ayutthaya
- The Dusit Palace, Bangkok
- Bhubing Palace, Chiang Mai
- Sanam Chandra Palace, Nakhon Pathom Province
- Phyathai Palace
- Suan Pakkad Palace
- Wangderm Palace, Bangkok
- Daraphirom Palace, Chiang Mai
- Maruekhathaiyawan Palace
- Bang Khun Phrom Palace, Bangkok
- Chitralada Palace, Bangkok
The Grand Palace, Bangkok
The Grand Palace is not only one of Thailand’s top palaces to see, but it is also a popular destination for travelers traveling to the country. This attraction will be included in nearly all travel plans to Thailand. You could spend almost a whole day here because it is so noticeable and filled with so much!
Thailand’s capital city, Bangkok, is where this palace is located. As a result, getting to this palace shouldn’t be a problem at all, given its accessibility and popularity among both locals and visitors.
This palace is unquestionably a work of architectural wonder. This palace is so large that more than 100 beautiful constructions may be seen. The Grand Palace is a fusion of several architectural and cultural elements. This is due to the Grand Palace’s construction taking more than one reign. This palace was built with the participation of several rulers.
As a result, there is a wide range of options for travelers. Simply put, the palace’s beautiful views are simply amazing. The Emerald Buddha temple is among the palace’s most notable features. Consequently, you may fully immerse yourself in Thai culture by seeing the Grand Palace.
Bang Pa-In Royal Palace, Ayutthaya
The Bang Pa-In Royal Palace is the place to go if you’re seeking for palaces to see in Thailand, where the Royal Family is still present. The Royal Palace of Bang Pa-In is roughly an hour’s drive from Bangkok. Because this is a popular tourist location, getting there should be simple.
One of the palace’s distinguishing features is that, while being a Thai palace, it is largely European in design. The Bang Pa-In Royal Palace is separated into two sections: the inner and outside zones. The inner section of the palace is inaccessible to outsiders. This is due to the Royal Family’s residence in the inner section.
The outside section is totally accessible to tourists. The palace is situated on the Chao Phraya River’s banks. The Royal Monarch family used to come here every summer. However, the Royal Monarch family now only visits this palace on some occasions.
This palace’s reflection in the river is very stunning. If you’re seeking a magnificent Thai palace photograph, look no further. Although the Royal Monarch family does not visit here very often, royal events are still held here. You may be able to watch the magnificent display.
The Dusit Palace, Bangkok
The Dusit Palace should undoubtedly be on your list of palaces to visit if you’re looking for the most stunning and opulent structures in Thailand. The Dusit Palace is a contemporary marvel.
This palace was erected in 1915 for King Chulalongkorn of the Chakri Dynasty. Since then, it has become one of the most famous palaces to see during your Thailand vacation. This is truly breathtaking to look at, and the homes and constructions are nothing short of amazing.
This palace is essentially a two-story building. Six domes surround this two-story edifice. This definitely makes it a sight to behold. This palace is still utilized for routine government business even if the Royal Monarch family doesn’t reside there.
The Ananta Samagom Throne Hall is a major attraction of this royal residence. The main attraction is Throne Hall. Therefore, must see it. The palace also has a museum.
Therefore, anyone who is curious to learn more about the dynasty and its legacy might pay it a visit. However, you must be aware that the museum has a rigorous dress code. To have a hassle-free tourist trip, you might need to look at it and adhere to it.
Bhubing Palace, Chiang Mai
The King’s winter home, Bhubing Palace, is located north of Chiang Mai’s main entrance, on the same winding road as Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.
The palace was constructed under the direction of Prince Samaichalerm Kridagara and was finished in under five months. King Frederick the Ninth and Queen Ingrid of Denmark were the first royals to visit the palace in January 1962.
The palace was created in the primary Thai architectural style known as ruean mu, which means “group of dwellings.”
The royal home is located on the upper floor of the stilted structures, while the royal entourage is housed on the lower floor. A guesthouse is available as well for hosting dignitaries from abroad.
The Suan Suwaree rose gardens are very well-known and merit a stroll around. They are located in the highlands above Chiang Mai and make the most of the cool mountain air.
Sanam Chandra Palace, Nakhon Pathom Province
The Sanam Chandra Palace is located in a stunning garden with towering trees and immaculately kept lawns encircling lakes and ponds. A strange-looking structure, resembling a yellow castle from a Cinderella fable, lies in the center of this garden.
The little town of Nakhon Pathom is where Nakhon Pathom, which is 50 kilometers west of Bangkok, was founded in 1907. It is well-known for holding Phra Pathom Chedi, the highest stupa in the entire globe. Though being approximately 1 kilometer away, this strange royal palace attracts very few locals.
Phyathai Palace
Phyathai Palace is made up of 5 structures that were all built in a blend of neo-gothic and Romanesque styles in 1909, under the reign of King Rama V, as a permanent royal home. The rooms’ interiors exhibit rococo influences, including lovely ceiling frescos, gilded Corinthian columns, and intricately carved fretwork.
On Saturdays, there are frequently guided tours offered at 9:30 morning and 1:30 afternoon. Otherwise, you are normally welcome to explore the palace grounds at your leisure.
Suan Pakkad Palace
Bangkok’s Suan Pakkad Palace is a site to catch glimpses of Thailand that you would have assumed had long ago disappeared. It’s a well-kept tropical garden with tranquil ponds around eight traditional Thai buildings, each brimming with beautiful artworks, antiques, and curiosities owned by Prince and Princess Chumbhot.
Back in 1952, they changed their traditionally private house into a museum in the giving spirit. Their humanitarian reasoning was that, while beloved goods are private property, they are nevertheless part of humanity’s legacy and should be made available to everybody.
This seems odd in light of the fact that what welcomes guests upon arrival is a wholly unrelated extension constructed in 1996.
Artifacts from the Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Ages belonging to the prehistoric Ban Chieng culture are kept at the Chumbhot-Panthip Center of Arts. These unique examples of painted pottery and metal tools and weaponry prove that a Southeast Asian civilization was just as advanced in technology and society as Stonehenge and Egypt.
Wangderm Palace, Bangkok
Wangderm Palace, also known as Phra Racha Wang Derm, was created to commemorate the founding of Thonburi’s new capital. Following the liberation of Siam from the Burmese in 1767, Taksin, a commander and regional governor was anointed King. He erected this palace near Wat Arun on the west part of the Chao Phraya River’s bank (The Temple of Dawn).
The Wichayen Fort and other defenses that controlled access to the Kingdom’s port are behind the Thonburi palace, which originally stood in a position of immense strategic significance. Visits are by appointment only and limited to two groups of five or more.
Daraphirom Palace, Chiang Mai
Princess Dara Rasmi, the consort of King Chulalongkorn of Siam, lived in the royal home of Daraphirom Palace outside of Chiang Mai. The very elegantly decorated home, known in Thai as Phra Tamnak Dara Phirom, has been converted into a museum that receives little international tourism.
The enormous timber home on stilts was constructed in 1913 using a combination of Thai and European design elements. Its design is reminiscent of Cha-Maruekhathaiyawan Am’s Palace, which was constructed a decade later in 1923.
Maruekhathaiyawan Palace
In 1923, King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) constructed Maruekhathaiyawan Palace as a seaside getaway halfway between Cha-Am and Hua Hin.
The King first had a palace built on Hat Chao Samran beach, a little farther north, but he wasn’t content with it and chose to tear it down and build a new palace in Cha-Am district with a view of the sea using the teak wood. Because Cha-Am was now connected to Bangkok by train and the area was healthy due to its forest and clean sea air, it was thought that the site was convenient.
Bang Khun Phrom Palace, Bangkok
The Bang Khun Phrom Palace, located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, is one of Thailand’s lesser-known palaces.
King Chulalongkorn (Ram V) gave the order to build the palace at the beginning of the 20th century so that HRH Prince Paribatra Sukhumbhand may live there.
The Tamnak Yai main residence, the Tamnak Somdej structure, and the Tamnak Ho Residential Hall—the latter of which was eventually transferred to Dusit Palace—were all built on the property. All buildings were made using various architectural designs and architectural styles.
Chitralada Palace, Bangkok
His Majesty King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit’s official residence is Chitralada Palace, which is a part of the well-known Dusit Palace. This impressive building, which once served as King Chulalongkorn’s summer residence, is carpeted over a square kilometer, encircled by a moat, and effectively defended by the royal guards. At the moment, the palace is off-limits to visitors and can only be seen from the outside.
