The Big Kahuna or Moe destroys the Grand Palace

The Grand Palace of Bangkok

There is a reason the Grand Palace is one of the most popular tourists spot in Bangkok. 

Rather than being a single structure, the Grand Palace is made up of numerous buildings, halls, pavilions set around open lawns, gardens and courtyards. 

Its asymmetry and eclectic styles are due to its organic development, with additions and rebuilding being made by successive reigning kings over 200 years of history. 

It is divided into several quarters: the Temple of the Emerald Buddha; the Outer Court, with many public buildings; the Middle Court, including the Phra Maha Monthian Buildings, the Phra Maha Prasat Buildings and the Chakri Maha Prasat Buildings; the Inner Court and the Siwalai Gardens quarter.

But first the news:

Moe causes chaos in courtyard...

The railing gave way as Moe leaned against it. That section pulled down about four other sections in a clatter (they were chained together). Moe was unhurt but the railing suffered two broken posts.

Moe says that in government bureaucracy, "He who moves first, loses". That became clear as one security guard or official after another came to discuss the disaster. No one wanted to be the person to make a decision, however finally the carpenter was called to assess the situation. He was the only person smiling. From the repairs on other sections, I guess this has happened before. finally we were released.

Big, Beautiful and Crowded

There is no way to show the crowds or the immensity of this complex using still photography--unless one hired a airplane and took aerial shots. Since this is a royal residence it would be inadvisable.... 

Video would give you an idea, however I haven't been able to upload video, so I took many panorama shots. I'm taking a chance by choosing an X-L size for the panoramic images; I'm trying to make them viewable and hopefully they doesn't extend off your screen's edge. Give me feedback if you want.

Broken and collapsed railing sections meant to keep people from touching the beautiful mural

Panorama of a mural section. Moe is on the right side.

Detail of the mural

Stucco replica of Angkor Wat

Anything you can do, I can do, too!

Buddha (not Emerald)

The Emerald Buddha is housed inside the temple below. This sitting Buddha is made of jade (emerald-colored) and clothed in gold. The Buddha was wearing the cool weather attire, I think; it has three sets of attire; cool, warm and rainy season.

No photography is allowed inside the temple but one can stand outside and shoot through center door which hordes of people did. 

Temple of the Emerald Buddha

Emerald Buddha (พระแก้วมรกต); on the small size but with impressive digs and clothing

Palace Dress

The dress code is stricter at the Grand Palace. Many tourists are sent to the "borrow" room to get/rent appropriate clothing.

NO sleeveless tops, tank tops, cropped tops, see-thru tops, shorts, cropped pants, torn pants, tight pants, culottes or mini skirts. Also no hats or shoes in temples