Sunday 24 November 2013

Bangkok: Grand Palace

Day 24
We checked out of our hotel and ordered a taxi to the airport for tonight. It's our last day today!

My boyfriend wanted to see a buddha but we accidentally winded up at the Grand Palace. To enter it you need to be dressed appropriate, so cleavage, legs and arms covered.Watch out here! You can borrow clothing for free inside at the ticket office, but outside at the walls there are scammers who tell you you have to buy from them. The soldiers at the gate also say you have to buy, but don't! Just go inside and give 200 deposit, you'll get it back later if you return the clothes.
My boyfriend had to put on hippiepants. Pretty funny!

The palace didn't impress me that much. Other places left a greater mark. The texile museum did impress me though!
During a few decades the Thai clothing style had become western. The royal couple had planned an 8 month trip around the world to visit other leaders and cultures. The queen was really bothered with the fact that a traditional Thai garment didn't exist anymore. Two years before their trip she began with the designs of 8 garments together with a designing team. Even a French coutourier was part of the team. She ordered them to visit tribes with their own traditions of weaving. The result was splendid. Thai fine handmade silk and clothing patterns based on old traditions and garments that expressed
Thai culture.
This museum really impressed me. There's a studio where you can try on a garment. Pictures coming soon!

After this visit we kind of wondered around.
We're now at the hotel, waiting for our taxi to the airport. Hope that goes well, because traffic is jammed because of the protests in Bangkok!

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