THAILAND ~ The Grand Palace - Bangkok ~

... Wonderful view of an important and the most sacred place for Thai people... a popular tourist attraction... the Thai Grand Palace contains some of the finest Thai architecture, Buddhist sculpture, decorative crafts and paintings... dear Jobbo thanks a lot for so many great postcards from all your travels... I really enjoyed them all☺... take good care of your self and hopefully till later!! (>‿♥)

 Built in 1782, the palace was commissioned by then-king Rama I, who founded Thailand's Chakri Dynasty. The Grand Palace complex is situated on the banks of the Chao Phraya River and  is surrounded by walls more than a mile long and has an enclosed complex with an area of 218,400 square meters.

It’s divided into four main courts, separated by numerous walls and gates: the Outer Court, the Middle Court, the Inner Court and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

Bangkok's Grand Palace was not only the home of the King and his court, but also the entire administrative seat of government. Within the crenelated walls were the country's war ministry, state departments, and even the mint. Thai Kings stopped living in the palace full time around the turn of the twentieth century, but the complex remains the seat of power and spiritual heart of the Thai kingdom.

Stamps:

The 72nd Anniversary of the Birth of King Bhumibol Adulyadej
(Issued 21-10-1999)

 The 50th Anniversary of King Bhumibol's Accession to Throne as Rama IX
(Issued 09-06-1996)