Visit to Grand Palace on 5 Dec

[HCW]

I am planning to visit the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Sanam Luang. I understand there would be a King’s birthday celebrations there on 5 Dec. I also learnt that some tour agencies will stop their tour packages to these places on 5 Dec.

Are these places open on 5 Dec for the public to visit? Should I plan my visit to these places on 5 Dec, or is it better go there on other days before/after the King’s birthday?

Thanks
HCW

[paul_au]

The Grand palace is only closed on the rare state occasion, otherwise it is open 7 days a week. Just be careful of the touts working outside the palace, they will tell you there closed every day of the year so as to redirect you to another location which is commonly a jewelery scam.

[Khun Don]

http://www.bangkok.com/images/grand-palace-calendar.pdf

Google is your friend.

(in case you do not have a .pdf reader-yes, it is closed Dec 5th- and 6th

[HCW]

Thanks for your replies. The timetable is amazing. I read on some other sites that the Grand Palace and its vicinity are nicely decorated up for the important day. So, would it be a great sight if I go the day before on 4 Dec?

Any tips on the huge concert in Sanam Luang?

[David_Loves_Ubonwan]

Paul au having some ridiculous comment,must be careful with tout it was the first word i knew in my life

I think on this occasion what Paul says is good advice. Touts telling you that the Palace is closed and trying to take you elsewhere is a well known scam in Bangkok.

David

[paul_au]

Thanks for your replies. The timetable is amazing. I read on some other sites that the Grand Palace and its vicinity are nicely decorated up for the important day. So, would it be a great sight if I go the day before on 4 Dec?

Any tips on the huge concert in Sanam Luang?

The Grand Palace is magnificent any day, I my self went on a Sunday with good weather and it was quite crowded, but still pleasant, although I would preferably go on a week day next time with less crowds.

[Mahindrasarath]

I am expecting to see the mini Angkor Wat prototype inside the King Palce in Bangkok, just curious how did they worked.some member of my family had been there,when i worked for the french film,they shown me a sample that built in Paris it's looks beautiful.I emagined myself Angkor was built 9 towers,but nowday we could see only 5 towers cos the others are ruin felt off long time ago. I did encountered with tout at Namlaung fortunately these are worth,they had the vehicle but i didn't fall into their trap.

[mia.f]

it was not ridiculous!
cos I fell into the trap.. "nice local" saying that the place was close. and ended up losing quite a bit of $$.. this sound ridiculous. but just beware. as long as u know that the place is open, u will not be led to somewhere else
*beware of gem scam ppl!*

[emu]

Even though they do this in front of security or police, the officials still turn a blind eye. Their country and people get a bad rep, and they let it happen. There are also touts inside offering guided tours. I don't know if these are a scam or not, because how can you trust the thai people?
However, Grand Palace is a very worthwhile trip.

[yy]

One year, while hailing for a tuktuk to Chinatown from Wat Pho, we even had one of them telling us that the Chinatown was closed (it was the 1st or 2nd day of CNY). We just laughed it off and walked away, especially as we had a tourist board flyer saying that there would be a huge street fair there that day, and on the subsequent days of CNY too...

These scams are pretty common, so be careful and what you are doing before your trip (i.e. all these researching) is good and will prove to be helpful.