huge Yaks guard one of the many gates and entrances
inside the palace walls are elaborately painted
a small temple for offerings
The golden tower is the Phra Sri Rattana chedi
Once inside the Grand Palace, we see the wall and golden towers of Wat Phra Kaew
This hero is guarding the Dusit Maha Prasat Hall
The garden in front of the palace is meticulously maintained
chattering monks
the city of Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital of Thailand. Sitting in the Chao Phraya River delta, this primate city is home to 20% of the 70 million Thais.
 
Bangkok's origins date back to the 15th century as a trading post, set up by the then almighty Ayutthaya Kingdom.
In 1782 Bangkok became the capital of the Rattanakosin Kingdom, and after 1932 of the Kingdom of Thailand.
 
The city is a regional power house in finance, trade and manufacturing. The downsides are traffic congestions and a serious and persistent smog problem.
 
Bangkok was built on swamplands and presently experiences asubsistence of 10 to 30 mm per year. As the city hovers only 1 meter above sealevel there are serious concerns over flooding. Some even talk about relocating the capital to higher grounds.
 
The city draws many tourists, some of them attracted by the notorious Red Districts.
 
In March 2003 we toured Bangkok and visited the famous Grand Palace, including the Wat Phra Kaew temple.
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From the hotel room we have a nice view over the busy Chao Phraya river
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tuk-tuks are the favorite means of transport. They greatly add to the city's smog problem.
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restoration work in progress
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Monkeys and yaks "carry" a golden chedi
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a golden cat woman
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