The earliest buildings in the palace compound, regarded as masterpieces of classic Thai architecture, were constructed in the reign of King Rama I, founder of the Royal House of Chakri, and extensive additions in both Thai and Western styles were made by subsequent rulers. Though the King no longer makes his home in the Grand Palace, its historic buildings are nonetheless still used for most of the important ceremonies associated with the Thai monarchy.
     Royal coronations, for example, take place in the Phra Thinang Paisan Thaksin, one of a group of early structures of royal residences and throne halls known as the Phra Maha Monthien. This magnificently decorated hall contains among other things the Octagonal Throne, from which the King formally receives the invitation from representatives of the people to rule over the kingdom, and the Phatthrabit Throne, from which he receives the Royal Regalia, the Royal Utensils, and the Royal Weapons of Sovereignty. The adjoining Phra Thinang Amarin Winitchai originally served as the principal Audience Hall and is still used for the Grand Audience on His Majesty's Royal Birthday Anniversary and for Royal Religious Ceremonies throughout the year.
     The Phra Thinang Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall, also built by King Rama I, provides the setting for the annual Buddhist and Brahmin Coronation Day Anniversary Rites. It is also a custom to place the remains of kings, queens, and senior members of the Royal Family in this hall prior to their cremation, a ritual performed as in the case of Her Majesty Queen Rambhai Barni of the seventh reign who was given an elaborate traditonal funeral in 1985.
     The Phra Thinang Chakri Maha Prasat, a largely Western-style throne hall built by His Majesty's grandfather, King Chulalongkorn, between 1876 and 1882, is used for royal dinners and receptions and is also the place where King Bhumibol Adulyadej receives the credentials of newly arrived foreign ambassadors to Thailand.
     Wat Phra Kaeo or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha which occupies one section of the palace compound, serves as the royal chapel and houses Thailand's most revered Buddha image. His Majesty performs a number of important religious ceremonies here during the year, among them the ritual changing of the image's jewel-encrusted regalia at the beginning of the hot, cool, and rainy seasons.
     Chitralada Villa in Bangkok serves not merely as a Royal Residence but also performs a numberof other functions; within the same compound are a hospital which serves the royal staff and needy people, a school, and assorted experimental agricultural facilities. In addition, six other royal palaces are maintained at Bang Pa-in north of Bangkok, Hua Hin on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, the northern city of Chiang Mai, Sakon Nakhon in the Northeast, Narathiwat in the South, and Khao Kho in Phetchabun Province. The latter, most recent of the provincial palaces to be built, is in an area formerly regarded as one of the worst centres of the communist insurgency.


With permission from : The National Identity Office, Office of the Prime Minister, Royal Thai government. (1995). Thailand in the 90s. Bangkok: Amarin Printing and Publishing Public Company Limited.