On most days tourists are able to visit the temple grounds of Wat Phra Kaew (royal temple with the emerald Buddha), this is also the most impressive part of the complex. The area with Grand Palace and the chapel with the emerald Buddha may be off limits for special occasions or religious ceremonies.
The table below shows the days where some parts of the Palace complex are expected to be closed:
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 Jan | New Year Day |
| 24 Feb | Makha Puja Day |
| 25 Mar | Changing costume of Emerald Buddha |
| 6 Apr | Chakri Day |
| 15 Apr | Songkhran Day |
| 2 – 4 May | Coronation Day Anniversary |
| 9 May | Beginning of Royal Ploughing Ceremony |
| 21 May | Royal Commencement of Monks |
| 22 May | Visakha Puja Day |
| 3 Jun | Royal Birthday of HM Queen Suthida |
| 13 Jul | Royal Ceremony of Ordination |
| 20 Jul | Asalha Puja Day / Beginning of Buddhist Lent |
| 21 Jul | Changing costume of Emerald Buddha |
| 24 – 25 Jul | Monks holding service at chapel |
| 28 – 29 Jul | Royal Birthday of HM King Vajiralongkorn |
| 12 Aug | HM Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother Birthday |
| 13 Oct | King Rama IX Day |
| 23 Oct | King Rama V Day |
| 16 Nov | Changing costume of Emerald Buddha |
| 5 Dec | Birthday Anniversay HM Late King Rama IX |
Additional ceremonies may be held and can take place on short notice, please check the official Grand Palace website for details:
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 17 Mar | Closed at 14:00 |
| 4 Jul | Chapel with Emerald Buddha closed all day |
| 9 Jul | Chapel with Emerald Buddha closed all day |
| 26 Jul | Closed at 12:00 |
| 27 – 29 Jul | Grand Palace and Chapel with Emerald Buddha closed all day, Royal temple closed at 12:00 |
| 30 Jul | Closed at 12:00 |
Opening time for tourists is from 8:30 to 15:30, to have sufficient time it is better to be in before 15:00. Entrance fee for foreigners is 500 THB per person, children under 120cm have free entry. A strict dress code is applicable, please be prepared as entrance may be refused.
Interested in a private tour to Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew?
BKK Tours can organize the following tours in Bangkok for you:
