The Grand Palace and royal temples
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Rattanakosin Island gathers Bangkok’s treasures: the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew and its Emerald Buddha, Wat Pho and its Reclining Buddha, and the National Museum. Across the river, Wat Arun is a short ferry ride away.
In 1782, King Rama I founded his new capital here, protected by the river and canals dug as moats. The Grand Palace, home to the kings for 150 years, is still used for official ceremonies. Wat Pho is considered the country’s first public university and still houses a Thai massage school.
