Update on Grand Palace visits

BANGKOK Bangkok’s Grand Palace reopened its doors to visitors, 1 November, but the Tourism Authority of Thailand reiterated its earlier message that visitors to the palace should wear appropriate and respectable attire.

The country is in the midst of mourning for the the Late His Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who passed away 13 October and is lying in state in the Throne Hall of the Grand Palace.

Specific sections of the Grand Palace reopened to tourists, but officials are on duty to ensure that visitors comply with the dress code.

Visitors are asked to wear black or white clothes, long sleeved blouses, or shirts and proper footwear, (not flip flops). Men should wear casual long trousers of a dark colour and women long, dark, conservative styled, dresses, not slacks or jeans.

The Throne Hall, where the Royal Urn is located, is open to mourners paying their respects to the Late HM the King. It is not part of the palace that is accessible to tourism related visits.

The Royal Household issued a dress code advisory for mourners visiting the Throne Hall to pay respects, which is stricter than the dress code to enter other compounds of the Grand Palace.

Entrance and exit

For tourists, the Grand Palace is open daily from 0830 to 1530. Tourists and visitors are advised to enter and exit at the Wiset Chaisri Gate only.

Drop-off and pick-up

For group tours: There are three drop-off and pick-up points for tour companies taking group tours to visit the Grand Palace.

Travel by car only: drop-off and pick-up at the Royal Rattanakosin Hotel.

Travel by car and boat: Arrival by car, drop-off at the Royal Rattanakosin Hotel; return by boat at the Tha Chang Pier.

Travel by boat only: Board the boat at Asiatique and disembark at Tha Maharaj Pier. However, there is an extra charge of THB130 per person for this service.

Tour buses can park at the Rama VIII Bridge, the Old Southern Bus Terminal (about 1 km past Central Pinklao), Wat Dusidaram (at the foot of Phra Pinklao Bridge on the Thon Buri side).

For smaller tour vehicles or private cars, the drop-off and pick-up is at the Chang Rongsi Bridge.

For individual travellers: Travel by BTS Sky Train: Get off at the Saphan Taksin Station and take a boat to Tha Chang Pier or Tha Maharaj Pier.

Travel by MRT Bangkok Metro: get off at the Hua Lamphong Station (Bangkok Railway Station) and take a bus to the Grand Palace.

Assistance

The Department of Tourism and the Tourist Police have deployed special-task officers and volunteers as well as Tourist Police officers who can speak in English, or other languages (Chinese, German and French) to facilitate tourists and provide assistance.

Six officers and volunteers are stationed at the Tourist Assistance tent opposite the Wiset Chaisri Gate from 0830 to 1630. Call +66 (0) 2642 2767 (Chinese language) and +66 (0) 84 651 5549.

The Department of Tourism in collaboration with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has placed English and Chinese signs at drop-off and pick-up points.

The Marine Department will deploy tourist assistance officers at three piers: Tha Chang, Tha Maharaj and Asiatique.

Tourists must show their passport at the checkpoints before entering the Grand Palace, and they are advised not to take valuable and belongings with them.