The Grand Palace is an enclosed complex situated in the heart of the historic quarter of Bangkok that was once the official residence of the Kings of Siam (and later the country of Thailand) since the late 1700s. In 1925, the complex no longer served as the residence of the kings, but it is still used for royal ceremonies and state functions today. The Grand Palace is one of Thailand's most visited sites, drawing over eight million people annually. It was initially constructed by King Rama I (who established the current Chakri Dynasty back in 1782). His successors continued to add structures to the site over the centuries. The rectangular shape of the complex encompasses 218,400 sq meters and is surrounded by four walls. Within these walls are a series of buildings, halls, pavilions, open lawns, gardens and courtyards, arranged in an eclectic and asymmetrical style due to the continued additions and renovations of the complex over the years. The Grand Palace is divided into four quarters: the Outer Court (containing the royal offices and former ministry buildings); the Middle Court (consisting of the most important state apartments and the ceremonial halls of the king); the Inner Court (with the Siwalai Gardens); and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (regarded as the most sacred Buddhist temple in the country, surrounded by its own complex of religious structures). We spent an entire morning touring the site. Below is a small sample of the photographs I took.