The Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha Temple, Bangkok (April 29, 2025)

A year ago, I met up with sister dearest in Thailand. I was there from April 25 to May 4, 2025. It was a memorable vacay, filled with affordably delicious food, shopping galore, Bangkok traffic jams and sightseeing under extreme humid and hot conditions. This year 2026, sister dearest invited me again to go to Bangkok, I declined for various reasons including budget constraints and prior commitments.

So let me continue my series of posts on our Bangkok adventures.

April 29, 2025, we booked a private tour via Klook to visit prime landmarks which basically is a Temples Run. We opted for a private tour with a guide named Sam because we didn't want to be rushed from one attraction to another with limited time to actually enjoy the places. It was scorching hot so we needed recovery time to hydrate, wipe our sweaty selves and have enough leg room space in the private car. Pick up point was our hotel in the Siam district.

Our itinerary:
(1) The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Emerald Budda Temple),
(2) Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha)
(3) Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn).

Let's begin and focus this post on the majestically enchanting Grand Palace. As you can see from the picture of the map below, the place is huge and it was already teeming with tourists even at 09:30 in the morning.

Entrance fee to the Grand Palace is 500 THB (Thai Baht). 

The following attractions are included in the ticket with validity from 29/04/2025 - 05/05.2025:
The Grand Palace, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha 
Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles (was not able to visit)
The Arts of the Kingdom Museum and the Masterpieces by Artisan of Queen Sirikit Institute (not visited) and Khon, Thai Classical masked dance. (there is a designated time so we missed it)

In 1782, King Rama the First decided to move the capital city to the left bank of the Chao Phraya River. It covers an area of 218,000 square meters, is enclosed by crenallated walls measuring 19,000 meters.  It has a Hall of Residence, Throne Halls, administrative buildings, several chedi (Thai Buddhist bell shaped stupas which are basically towers which hold relics) and temples all within the sprawling complex. 

The Phra Sri Rattana Chedi is a bell shaped chedi or stupa of brick and mortar that was constructed in 1855 during the reign of Rama IV to house relics of the Buddha. It was originally white washed but was later covered with gold mosaic tiles imported from Italy during the reign of Rama V to mark the centenary of Bangkok in 1882.

The Prasad Phra Thepdibon Royal Pantheon is a building that has a Prang or corncob spire surmounting its roof. Geometric patters of colored glass mosaics adorn its exterior walls and pillars that are interspersed with ceramic tiles. It was originally constructed with the intention of using it for royal ceremonies and to enshrine the Emerald Buddha at eye level. But upon completion it was deemed too small. Nowadays, life sized bronze statues of former sovereigns of the Royal House of Chakri, Rama I to Rama IX are ensconced in the original three wall niches and on gilt platforms so the Royal Family can pay their respects at appropriate times.

Phra Mondop is a traditional square building with mother of pearl inlay doors topped by a Thai mondop spired roof and was constructed by King Rama I to hold a large lacquered mother of pearl cabinet containing palm leaf Buddhist Tritaka Scriptures.

The famous Angkor Wat in Siem Reap was under Siamese (Thai) administration for periods between the 14 century until 1907 when the province was ceded back to Cambodia which was then a French protectorate. In 1871, King Rama IV attempted to dismantle the temple and move it to Thailand but the Khmers strongly resisted. So King Rama IV conceived a replica in concrete of the 12 century Angkor Wat, an inticate hand crafted miniature of a renowned architectural marvel and placed in within the Grand Palace compound.

Next, it was time to head to the Phra Ubosot, the Convocation Hall which houses the Emerald Buddha. Built in accordance with traditional Thai style architecture with multi-tiered roofs of colored tiles, roof ridges and lotus captal pillars, this building's base on the north and south is decorated with 112 gilded bronze Garuda seizing 2 Naga by their tails while clutching their heads. Pairs of bronze Singha lions guard the 6 east and west doors that have mother of pearl inlays of gods, demons and mythical animals. 

It is forbidden to take pictures inside of the Emerald Buddha. You need to remove your shoes to enter the Wat Phra Kaew. The Emerald Buddha is an object of national veneration, carved in the attitude of meditation and is enshrined high up on a tiered base in an altar of glided wood designed to represent the aerial chariots of heavenly beings.

Merely a picture/poster of the Emerald Buddha

It is carved from a block of jasper, because of its color it is called the Emerald Buddha and measures 66 cms, in height that includes the base and is 48.3 cms in width from knee to knee. It has three different raiments which are changed by the King on specified dates of the lunar calendar. The summer and rainy seasons raiment were dedicated by King Rama I while the winter raiment was dedicated by King Rama II.  All of the raiments are crafted exquisitely from gold and embellished with diamonds and precious stones.

We proceeded to a section where the buildings were entirely different in design, structures and style from the temples. Here the prevailing colors were white, with gold tilt and orange roof tops.The Chakri Maha Prasad Throne Hall is a neo-classical stye building with a roof surmounted by three Thai-spired Prasad instead of the usual three domes. The ground floor has rooms used as offices for the King's own bodyguards. The upper floor can be accessed by outside staircases has private audience chambers and picture galleries. The top floor is reserved for the crematory relics in small urns of the previous kings from Rama IV to Rama IX.

Dusit Maha Prasad Throne Hall is a brick plastered throne hall with a spired roof with red Garuda clutching the heads and tails of two Naga serpent statues. It is a building for the lying in state of kings, queens and senior members of the royal family and for holding royal ceremonies of commemoration.

Wellness and Fitness

 

I took my health condition (hyperthyroidism, hypertension, dislipidemia, and worse of all menopause) seriously in 2021.

That year, I lost both parents. 

Mommy from a rare form of cancer in March of 2021 and Dad from a tragic fall in June 2021.

April 2021, I was officially diagnosed with Graves disease, an auto immune condition otherwise known as hyperthyroidism.

I've had hypertension since I was about 45 or 48 years old.

I noticed that my cholesterol levels went crazy once I hit menopause which was pushed forward after I had my radical hysterectomy in March 2023.

At first, I would exercise 2 - 3 times a week from home by following a walk from home program by Leslie Sansone on YouTube. This was suggested by my endocrinologist, the doctor who diagnosed I had Graves Disease.

When we lived in Fairview, QC I increased my exercise routine to 4 times a week. I noticed that I was losing weight and toning muscles but my belly, well, it still needed more effort.

October 2023, we moved here to Paragon Plaza in the Greenfield business district in Mandaluyong. A studio unit on the 31st floor with a fantastic view. Its close proximity to everything was a huge factor for me to really improve my wellness routine.  I could walk everywhere - church, supermarket, even a couple of malls where I can go for pampering, pay bills, dine out and watch movies. 

2024 - early 2025 was a very stressful period for me. I lost my self worth, my self esteem was at an all time low. I was brokenhearted, so depressed, full of rage, really sad - mixed emotions!

BUT.

The only thing I got going for me was to hear Mass daily and exercise!

Nowadays at home, I exercise 5 even 6 days a week. It varies every day. I would exercise for 30 minutes, other days for 45 minutes and when I need huge amount of dopamine, I would do the 90 minutes routine of Leslie Sansone on YouTube.

On weekends, we walk for an hour in the Greenfield district. We would walk around a two block radius for about 4 to 5 rounds.

An hour of walking on concrete pavement where a certain portion goes uphill but not too steep. The area is surrounded by buildings that houses restaurants, coffee shops and commercial establishments. There is also a food truck park amidst patches of greenery here and there.

Early evenings, there is a fair amount of liked minded people who also do their walking. Mostly young professionals in various shapes, sizes and ages. I'd say their ages range from 25 to late 30s. 

I'm a highly self conscious person. So for me to actually get out of my comfort zone, to go out for walking, sans makeup, frizzy hair is a huge undertaking, believe me. But I persist as I reckon it was one opportunity for us to bond, especially after what happened.

With God's mercy, I am slowly healing in every way, possible.

Spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally.

Truth be told, I still have a long way to go. I am not yet fully recovered nor healed.

There are days when I still feel terrible and really struggle a lot because betrayal trauma is real.

But my Lord and my God, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary continues to watch over me as He, alone is the greatest healer.  AMEN.

So I shoulder on!

Visita Iglesia 2026

This year, it was merely sister dearest and I who did our traditional Visita Iglesia of 7 churches. We visited churches within the Mandaluyong and San Juan areas and some churches located in Quezon City, yet in close proximity to San Juan. The altars of repose in different churches are open for veneration from 8 PM until midnight during Maundy Thursdays.

(1) St. Francis of Assisi, Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong - the parish closest to our former residence in the 1980s - 1990s where our family used to hear mass. 

Main entrance of St. Francis Parish

The altar of repose at St. Francis

(2) National Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace - Edsa Shrine, QC - this is where I got married in 2008, not the main church but at small adjacent Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz.

Edsa Shrine

The altar of repose at the Edsa Shrine

(3) Mary the Queen Parish, San Juan - A couple of years ago, we discovered this parish when it showed up on the Waze app. This lovely edifice is located near ICA (Immaculate Conception Academy) and Xavier School.

The altar of repose at Mary the Queen Parish

(4) Sanctuario de San Jose, Greenhills East Village,  Mandaluyong - first time to set foot in this lovely church located within an exclusive subdivision. 

(5) Minor Basilica of  the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Broadway QC - Another church which we frequented during our childhood years. I noticed that it is easier this year to make the rounds of churches because there were fewer cars on the road, perhaps due to the high gas prices and this oil crisis. This church is huge but this is the first time we managed to park right in front of its entrance.

The altar of repose at Mount Carmel church was located in a tiny hallway adjacent to the main church. It was solemn though but there were very few seats and pews for kneeling and praying.

(6) Carmel of St Therese of the Child Jesus in Gilmore, QC - we accidentally discovered this monastery a few years ago when its gates were open for Visita Iglesia. Normally it is always closed.

At first I couldn't find the altar of repose until sister dearest pointed it out to me. It was located at the left side of the altar and it was enclosed. One of the simplest yet very solemn altars of repose we visited that night.

(7) Sanctuario del Sto. Cristo in San Juan - when we were studying in high school at St. John's Academy, our aunt (mommy's elder sister) would pick us up from our house in Mandaluyong. Her driver would drop her off at this church every day and then take us to our school.

It was our last stop and we reached it at around 11:38 PM. It was mostly empty and frankly a bit eerie but it brought back many fond memories of my high school days at St. John's Academy in San Juan.

Hop on hop off (tourist) boat, Bangkok style

The Chao Phraya Tourist Boat is an excellent way to explore the main attractions of Bangkok. It was established on 15th June 2012 and operates between 8:30 AM to 5:30PM daily. The boats depart every 30 minutes from 9 piers including Sathorn Pier, ICONSIAM Pier, Ratchawong Pier, Rajinee Pier, Wat Arun Pier, the Chang Pier, The Maharaj Pier, Prannok Pier and Phra Arthit Pier. From 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM, the route is extended to Asiatique which is a big outdoor market with many food stalls, with a Ferris Wheel known as the Asiatique Sky. It is best to explore it at night.

April 28, 2025 at 11:20 AM, we availed the all day river pass for 150 Thai Baht. It functions just like a Hop on Hop off bus except you are on a boat. So you can alight at any of the piers, hop on back when you are done exploring that area. You can seat on the upper deck to get a better view or inside to avoid the sun. It was quite hot with the sun blasting but the boat ride was smooth and seeing the tourist spots from another angle was a fun experience. This was our DIY exploratory activity because we booked a private tour for the next day to visit the major tourist attractions. I will blog about it as soon as I sort out the pictures, my thoughts and my memory.

the ICONSIAM is a luxury mall

The majestic Wat Arun, The Temple of Dawn

The Grand Palace

The Tha Maharaj hosts a variety of restaurants

Rama VIII Bridge, the 5th longest bridge with asymmetrical cable stayed
style in the entire world

We alighted at the last stop, Phra Arthit station from where you can reach Khaosan Road. It is a popular destination for backpackers as there are several affordable hostels there. Many kinds of street food are sold along the whole route. There are also a lot of bars and night clubs. We had a quick snack at one of the restaurants there.

The Rama 8 Bridge at night

The funny thing is when we went back to the pier to take the boat back, the station was already closed as the last trip was at 5:45PM. Mind you, we were not alone as there were other stranded passengers as well. So we booked an Uber/Grab car to take us back to our hotel. But overall, I'd recommend taking this scenic boat tour as it is a leisurely way to explore Bangkok from the Chao Phraya River.