I notice that the Grand Palace has several Halls closed on the weekends. Should we avoid visiting it when we first arrive in Bangkok (Sat.) and wait till Monday?

June

not a bad idea.....there might be less people too as not as many locals would be there....go early also

You'll see lots of people wearing yellow shirts on Monday, in honor of the King. He was born on a Monday (which is the 'yellow' day). I was curious why my Thai friends wanted to know which day of the week was my birth-day. They have a color for each day of the week!

Yes, visiting on Monday will be better in several ways, fewer crowds (although it will still be quite crowded) and more of the Grand Palace will be open.

I always recommend that people arrive right as it opens at 8:30 - it will be "cooler" (less hot) as well as less crowded.

Yup, the throne halls and the armory are closed on weekends. Visit on a weekday to see everything.

Carol - on the colours, I was born on Tuesday and my husband on Thursday. When planning the flowers for my wedding in Thailand, the wedding planner asked to know our birthdays and suggested we have pink (for tuesday) and orange (for thursday) along with some green for the day we were marrying (wednesday). I thought it was a lovely idea,
BB

Would that be light green (afternoon) or dark green (morning)? Wednesday has two colors. Some say it's because it's unlucky to be in the middle, but I think it's just because it's easier to divide things by 8.

pink is the new color for the king...i wore my pink shirt to dinner with the pandas last saturday at our favorite thai rest....it has a pocket patch (not a pocket protector like gpanda always has) with the king's personal insigna embroidered on it..

No, the King hasn't changed birthdays. His color will always be yellow. Pink became popular for a short time because he wore a fabulous pink silk suit when he was discharged from the hospital early this year.

The color of the moment is light blue, for the Queen, since it's her birthday this month.

Really Bob, you've got to keep up with these things.

I didn't know that about wed - but it was light green - afternoon - very pale green orchids
BB

ok, i have ordered a new shirt: pink collar, yellow body and blue sleeves and gold buttons, because gold is always favored by thai royalty