Thailand’s Grand Palace access changes announced for July 28-31
The Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha will operate under revised visiting arrangements from July 28 to 31 because of scheduled royal ceremonies.
- Access to the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha will be adjusted from July 28 to July 31, 2026, due to royal ceremonies.
- Ticket sales will be suspended entirely on July 28-29, with limited sales hours on July 30 (8am-noon) and July 31 (1pm-3:30pm).
- The Chapel of the Emerald Buddha will be closed to visitors on July 28, 29, and 30, with limited access to the wider temple complex on some days.
- Public access to pay respects at the Dusit Maha Prasat and Phiman Rattaya Throne Halls will be suspended for the first three days, resuming with limited hours on July 31.
The Bureau of the Royal Household has announced revised visiting arrangements for the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, also known as Wat Phra Kaew.
Access to both sites will be adjusted during the period.
The changes will apply from Tuesday (July 28, 2026) to Friday (July 31, 2026), when royal and other scheduled ceremonies are due to take place.
The arrangements are as follows:
Tuesday (July 28): His Majesty the King’s birthday anniversary
- Ticket sales will be suspended for the entire day.
- Only the Temple of the Emerald Buddha will be open to visitors from 8am to noon. The Chapel of the Emerald Buddha will be closed to visitors.
- Members of the public may pay their respects to the Royal Statues of the Preceding Monarchs at Prasat Phra Debidorn (The Royal Pantheon) from 8am to noon, entering and leaving through Sawasdisopa Gate.
- Public access to pay respects to the royal remains of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother at Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall, and to the royal remains of Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati Kromluangrajasarinisiribajra Mahavajrarajadhita at Phiman Rattaya Throne Hall, will be suspended for the entire day.
Wednesday (July 29): His Majesty the King’s birthday anniversary and the royal merit-making ceremony for Asalha Bucha and the Buddhist Lent festival 2026
- Ticket sales will be suspended for the entire day.
- Only the Temple of the Emerald Buddha will be open to visitors from 8am to noon. The Chapel of the Emerald Buddha will be closed to visitors. Visitors must enter and leave through Sawasdisopa Gate.
- Public access to pay respects to the royal remains of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother at Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall, and to the royal remains of Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati Kromluangrajasarinisiribajra Mahavajrarajadhita at Phiman Rattaya Throne Hall, will be suspended for the entire day.
Thursday (July 30): Royal ceremony to change the Emerald Buddha’s attire from its summer attire to its rainy-season attire; a Thaksinanupadana merit-making ceremony (Kong Tek) for the royal remains of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother; and the royal 50-day merit-making ceremony for the royal remains of Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati Kromluangrajasarinisiribajra Mahavajrarajadhita
- Tickets will be sold from 8am to noon.
- The Chapel of the Emerald Buddha will be closed to visitors for the entire day.
- Public access to pay respects to the royal remains of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother at Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall, and to the royal remains of Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati Kromluangrajasarinisiribajra Mahavajrarajadhita at Phiman Rattaya Throne Hall, will be suspended for the entire day.
Friday (July 31): Royal 50-day merit-making ceremony for the royal remains of Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati Kromluangrajasarinisiribajra Mahavajrarajadhita
- Tickets will be sold from 1pm to 3.30pm.
- Members of the public may pay their respects to the royal remains of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, at Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall, and to the royal remains of Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati Kromluangrajasarinisiribajra Mahavajrarajadhita at Phiman Rattaya Throne Hall, from 1pm to 8pm. The screening point in the Na Phra Lan Tunnel will close at 7pm.
Visitors are asked to dress respectfully:
- Men entering Prasat Phra Debidorn must not wear jeans, while women must wear skirts or traditional wrap skirts.
- Respectful mourning attire is required when paying respects to the royal remains of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, and Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati Kromluangrajasarinisiribajra Mahavajrarajadhita.
