Phaya Thai Palace
European-style royal halls from 1909, open only on weekend afternoons and best with a guide booked ahead.
Plan your visit
- Hours
- Sat–Sun 13:30–15:00
Dress Modestly
Cover shoulders and knees at all temples. Carry a light scarf or sarong — some temples lend wraps, but not all. Shoes come off before entering any building with a Buddha image.
Details
- Phone
- +66 2 354 7987
- Website
- www.phyathaipalace.org
Full opening hours
Tours that include Phaya Thai Palace
Guided visits and day-tour combos that include Phaya Thai Palace.
Why go, and how to do it well
This is the Bangkok palace for people who've had their fill of gilded chedis and want something stranger, a royal residence from 1909, built in the reign of Rama VI, done up in a mix of European styles rather than Thai ones. There's a hall in Byzantine style. Look down at the marble floor and you can pick out fossilized sea creatures in the stone. Throne halls, gardens, fountains, and a café near the entrance that shares the building's interiors.
The catch is language. Reviewers who love the place still say there's almost no English explanation, so without a guide you're walking through pretty rooms with no idea what you're looking at. Ring ahead and arrange an English-speaking guide, and the visit turns into something else entirely. Dress modestly, as you would for any royal site.
Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Oct 2026
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Best rated within a 15-minute walk
Where to Stay in Bangkok
Tours that include Phaya Thai Palace
Guided visits and day-tour combos that include Phaya Thai Palace.
Around here, on foot
Well-rated places within a short walk of Phaya Thai Palace, nearest first. Minutes are at an easy pace in the heat.
- 4 minToy Kuay Teow RueaRestaurants & Food · 330 m · 4.4★
- 9 minVictory MonumentTemples & Culture · 710 m · 4.4★
- 10 minSaxophone Pub & RestaurantNightlife & Bars · 780 m · 4.6★
- 10 minVictory Monument BTS StationTransportation · 790 m · 4.4★
- 10 minBoat Noodle Alley (Victory Monument)Restaurants & Food · 790 m · 4.3★
Experience hints
Reviews from Google
Great place to explore architecture from the beginning of XX century, the time of HM Rama VI. It is the Thai palace constructed with the references to the different European styles. There is even the Hall in Bysantian style. On some marble blocks of the floor ancient sea creatures fossiles can be seen. The visit is possible in the morning or from 1:30 pm. Better to contact them in advance for the English speaking guide. There is a nice cafe in the entrance of the palace, sharing the Place's interior and style. Even menu looks like the artefact from the past. Worth to be visited. The cafe has good coffee ☕
A must visit place. Sit besides the Ratchawitee road, near Victory monument. Should call for the tour guide if you want to know the history in depth. Dress properly.
The palace is truly beautiful and a hidden gem in Bangkok. The only disappointing part is that there is no English explanation for international visitors.
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 1,513 reviews on Google.
315 Thanon Ratchawithi, Khwaeng Thung Phaya Thai, Khet Ratchathewi, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10400, Thailand
Open in Google MapsMore temples & culture nearby
All within 2.0 km of Phaya Thai Palace.
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Tips for Visiting Temples & Culture
Mind Your Feet
Never point your feet at a Buddha image or a monk — it's considered deeply disrespectful. When sitting inside a temple, tuck your feet behind you or to the side.
Ask Before Photographing
Exterior photos are almost always fine, but some interior halls prohibit photography. Look for signs, and never pose irreverently with Buddha images — it's a legal offense in Thailand.
Go Early Morning
Big-name temples are dramatically less crowded in the first hour after opening. You'll also avoid the worst of the midday heat and get softer light for photos.
Phaya Thai Palace: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Phaya Thai Palace worth visiting?
Phaya Thai Palace holds a 4.6★ rating from 1,513 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated temples & culture in Bangkok.
What are the opening hours of Phaya Thai Palace?
Phaya Thai Palace is typically open 13:30–15:00 — see the full day-by-day schedule in the location info on this page. Hours can change on Thai public holidays, so check ahead for holiday visits.
When is the best time to visit Phaya Thai Palace?
The best months to visit Bangkok are November – February, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December & January — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: April – May (peak heat).
Where is Phaya Thai Palace located?
Phaya Thai Palace is at 315 Thanon Ratchawithi, Khwaeng Thung Phaya Thai, Khet Ratchathewi, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10400, Thailand, in Bangkok. Getting around Bangkok: BTS Skytrain (most central areas); MRT Metro (underground).
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