The Overcrowded Grand Palace: Bangkok's Most Famous Temple
We woke up early and hopped in a taxi to visit one of Bangkok's biggest highlights - the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew, the top must-see for first-time visitors to Bangkok.
Arriving at the Grand Palace
We arrived at the entrance around 9:00 AM thinking we'd beaten the crowds. We were wrong - it was already packed. So crowded, in fact, that we struggled to enjoy the experience.
Don't get us wrong: Thailand's most sacred site is magnificent. The buildings are absolutely stunning. The details of each monument are breathtaking. At every corner, we found something even more mesmerizing.
But we also found new hordes of tour groups flocking to every available square meter. This was just too much to handle.
The Temple of the Emerald Buddha
We visited the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew), jostling with what felt like half the population of China. We could barely see the famous green jade Buddha from a distance due to the crowds.
It was almost impossible to take a decent picture without someone stepping directly in front of you. We gave up trying and decided to leave, reaching for the exit as fast as we could.
The Crowds Got Worse
As we walked out a little before noon, the crowd had ballooned even more. There was a long queue to get in, and we couldn't imagine how much more crowded the actual grounds would be later in the day.
Movie Theater Recovery
After our miserable experience at the Grand Palace, we did the only thing that made sense: enjoyed a movie with a huge bowl of popcorn and almost a liter of icy Coke! Sometimes you need air conditioning and mindless entertainment to recover from overwhelming tourist attractions.
Have you visited the Grand Palace? What time did you go? Did you find it too crowded? Any tips for avoiding the masses? Share your Grand Palace experiences below!
Visiting the Grand Palace (What We'd Do Differently!)
- Go EARLY! Open 8:30am - arrive by 8:15am to be first in line. By 9am it's already packed. After 10am it's unbearable. Avoid midday (10am-2pm) completely!
- Avoid weekends and holidays! Visit Tuesday-Thursday for fewer crowds. High season (Nov-Feb) is worst. Chinese New Year period = absolute mayhem. Check cruise ship schedules!
- Entrance fee (2017): 500 THB (~$15 USD) includes Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew, and more. Audio guide available for extra fee. Ticket valid for single day entry only.
- Dress code STRICTLY enforced: No shorts, short skirts, sleeveless shirts, or revealing clothes. Shoulders and knees must be covered. Clothing rental available (200 THB deposit).
- Scams: Ignore anyone outside saying palace is closed for 'special ceremony.' Common scam! Palace is open every day except royal events (very rare). Only trust official ticket counters.
- Photography: Allowed in most areas but NO photos inside Temple of Emerald Buddha. Crowds make good photos nearly impossible - focus on architectural details.
- Combine with nearby: Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha - less crowded!), Wat Arun (gorgeous, across river). Both less touristy and more enjoyable. Consider skipping Grand Palace entirely!
- Tour groups: Large Chinese/Korean tour groups dominate 9am-2pm. They move in packs blocking pathways and photo spots. Very pushy crowds.
- What to bring: Water (expensive inside), hat, sunscreen, modest clothing. Bag check required at entrance. Large bags not allowed - travel light!
- Alternative: If crowds ruin experiences for you, skip Grand Palace! Visit less-touristy Wat Benchamabophit (Marble Temple) or Wat Saket (Golden Mount) instead. More peaceful!
Note:
The Grand Palace is undeniably stunning, but overtourism has made it a challenging experience. If we could do it again, we'd arrive at 8:15am sharp or honestly just skip it in favor of Bangkok's less-crowded but equally beautiful temples. Sometimes the most famous attraction isn't the most enjoyable!