KING'S PALACE, BANGKOK, THAILAND

KING BHUMIBOL'S PALACE, BANGKOK

While in Bangkok, you should visit the king's palace which is open to the public. There is a dress code and you need a sleeved shirt and closed shoes, but - F.Y.I - they do have them on hand for you to borrow but I think it costs you a few baht.

Although the palace is gorgeous, you should give the museum a miss. It's obvious that the queen didn't know what to do with the old bits that she had pulled out during a restoration, so she stuck them into a room and called it "A Museum". Rather sad really.

The easiest way to get there is to catch a riverboat which drops you off at the quay. (Need to check the number of the quay, but anyone can tell you.)

FYI: When you arrive the touts will tell you that the palace is closed for two hours and that they will take you for a tour to fill the time. It's all a lie. They just want to take you to jewelry shops because they get a commission on everything you buy. Signs inside the palace warn you about it, but, like, isn't that too late.

Have written about the palace but can't find the letter, however, in the meantime, here are a few photographs:

Keith meets his match.

Mosaics everywhere.

Entrance to two wats.

A complex of wats.

More totally gorgeous mosaics.