Royal Grand Palace & Emerald Buddha and Wat Arun; this Bangkok landmark which features some of the most spectacular architecture in South East Asia, should be the first place on a visitor's itinerary. The palace, begun in 1782, consists of several building with highly decorated architectural details. The magnificient Royal chael, Wat Phra Kaew, which is in the same compound, house the Emerald Buddha, the most sacred Buddha image in Thailand.