The first two-day closure is to allow rites to mark 50 days since King Bhumibol Adulyadej passed away take place. The second closure is so that a merit making ceremony in honour of the late king’s birthday on 5 December can be staged.
The palace and the Emerald Buddha Temple will be open as usual on the 3 and 4 December. The two were closed from the day the king passed away until the 1 November.
The national division for tourism reported that once the palace complex reopened it received record numbers of visitors. Director Wanasiri Morakul told media reporters more than 82,000 overseas tourists had visited in the first 10 days it was open.
He carried on by saying a good three-quarters of the visitors were Chinese and members of tour groups. The Grand Palace complex is one of the highlights of Bangkok’s eclectic portfolio of tourism attractions.
Bangkok is also the epicentre of the nation’s transport network. There are few locations not accessible with one or two changes of train, bus or aeroplane. In total, 12GO ASIA offers transport choices on almost 3,000 routes in Thailand and there is almost certainly one to suit your needs.
Bangkok Grand Palace to shut and hold royal rites
News in Asia
Thailand’s Royal Household Bureau has announced that the Grand Palace in Bangkok will be closed on a number of days next week. The palace and its Emerald Buddha Temple will be closed on 1 and 2 December in addition to the 5 and 6 December.