The Great Chakri Palace rises next to the Phra Thinang Amarin Winichai, and is closed to the public. The Palace is used today for official occasions, like the reception of foreign ambassadors.
The Palace was designed by an English architect to King Rama V’s specifications. The King had seen the palaces of the European capitals of his time, and insisted on a distinctly European design for his new palace.
Almost at the last minute, the King asked the architect to add Siamese-style stepped roofs and spires. The contrast between the two styles is rather jarring – visitors have called the building “a farang (foreigner) with a Thai hat”.
