The Grand Palace adjoins Wat Phra Kaew in a common compound, and is where you will end up after exiting Wat Phra Kaew. Despite the proximity of the two, there’s a distinct contrast in style between the very Thai Wat Phra Kaew and the more European inspired designs of the Grand Palace (the roof being the exception).
Wat Arun was built in the days of Thailand’s ancient capital of Ayutthaya, and was originally known as Wat Makok (“Olive Temple”). In the ensuring era when Thonburi was capital, King Taksin changed the name to Wat Chaeng. The temple briefly hosted the revered Emerald Buddha after it was recaptured from Laos, but it was moved to Wat Phra Kaew in 1784.
Wat Pho (Thai วัดโพธิ์) is a Royal Temple First Class, a Buddhist temple (Wat) located in the center of Bangkok’s historic Old City (see Rattanakosin), south of the Royal Palace.
