The palace served as royal residence for 150 years before the king moved. What remains is architectural excess turned national symbol. Every surface demands attention: golden chedis catching sun, demon guards frozen mid-snarl, walls tiled in mirror fragments creating kaleidoscope effects. The scale alone exhausts—you're walking through power made physical.

Strict dress code enforcement means shoulders and knees covered absolutely. They rent clothing at entrance (฿200 deposit) if you arrive in shorts and tank top expecting leniency.

Guide value: Understanding the murals' Ramakien storylines, navigating efficiently to avoid tour bus crowds, explaining why certain Buddha images are never photographed.