| Wat Phra Kaew
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The
temple is in the outer section of the Royal Enclosure west
of the Grand Palace . It was built on the orders of King
Rama I along with the Grand Palace and Rattanakosin Island
, and is built as a temple in a Royal compound like Wat
Sri Sanphet in Ayutthaya . It has no resident monks.
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intricate details of the
surrounding pagoda
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Borom Phiman Mansion
further south |
Kinaree half human
half bird |
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Chinese Guard
stone statue
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Details of "Nabun"
the roof part
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"KUMYAN" Thai
structure element
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| The
Emerald Buddha (Phra Putta Maha Mani Ratana Patimakorn or Phra
Kaeo Morakot): This is a Buddha image in the meditating position
in the style of the Lanna school of the north, dating from
the 15th century AD. King Rama I brought it from Vientiane
, and it is considered to be the most important Buddha image
in the country. |
| Model
of Angkor Wat: King Rama IV had this built by Phra Samphopphai
when Cambodia was under Siamese control. The model was recreated
in plaster at the behest of King Rama V to celebrate the first
centenary of the Royal city. |
| Prasat
Phra Thepidon: This four-square prang originally called "Puttaprang
Prasat" was built in the reign of King Rama IV. Inside
are statues of Kings Rama I-King Rama VIII, to which the public
pay their respects on Chakri Day, April 6, every year. |
| Mondop:This
structure stands behind Prasat Phra Thepidon, and was built
in the reign of King Rama I. Inside is a cabinet holding the
Buddhist scriptures beautifully decorated in mother-of-pearl. |
| Balcony: This can be compared to the temple wall. The murals inside
tell the Ramayana story in its entirety. On the columns of
the balcony are stone inscriptions of the verses describing
the murals. |
| Phra Sri Ratana Chedi: Built in the style of Wat Sri Sanphet
in Ayutthaya , this chedi is to the west of the Monhop. Inside
is a small chedi with relics of the Lord Buddha |
| Phra Atsada Maha Chedi: This group of eight chedis stands
in front of the temple. It was built in the reign of King Rama
I and dedicated to the heavens. Six of the group are outside
the balcony, two are inside. Each has its own name. |
| Yaksa Tavarnbal (Gate-keeping Giants): Six pairs of mythical
ogres stand at each gate of the Balcony. These are the main
Giants of the Ramayana. |
| Hor Phra Khanthan-rat: Standing in the estern corner of the
balcony, this is where the Phra Puttakhanthan-rat figure is
enshrined. It presides over the Royal rain-making ceremony
and the ceremony of the first rice planting. Inside are paintings
by the mural artist Khrua In Khong |
| Hor Phra Ratcha Karamanusorn: Inside this structure are 34
Buddha images in various positions, built by command of King
Rama III and dedicated the kings of Ayutthaya and Thonburi. |
| Hor Phra Ratcha Pongsanusorn: Built in the reign of King
Rama IV, this is the location of the Buddha image of the reigning
King of the Rattanakosin Era. Inside are murals of Royal chronicles
of Ayutthaya by Khrua In Khong |
| Hor Phra Nak: Situated behind the temple, this traditional
Thai building roofed with glazed tiles contains the ashes of
the Royal family. |