Wat Benchamabophit

After the Zoo, Ryan and I walked around the Dusit area a bit. The Chitrlada Palace, where the King and Queen currently reside, was right next door, but unfortunately all we could see were a bunch of security guards and high walls. Apparently they train the royal white elephants there, but we didn't see any.
We walked further down Ratchadamnoen avenue until we turned down a large soi (street) and found Ananta Samakom Throne Hall, pictured here.

It was originally made for King Rama V, out of marble, and has spectacular art throughout the Hall, but since we didn't know this at the time, we didn't go in. It was made with the intention of receiving guests and conducting meetings about state affairs. It was converted into the Parliament Building in 1932, but a new Parliament Building (relatively unimpressive) was built behind it and the Hall is now used for royal and state ceremonies.
Continuing our walk, Ryan and I came across Wat Benchamabophit. This was a lot less touristy than Wat Pho, and we were able to see some monks milling about. Supposedly, this is the place to go for witnessing monastic rituals, but I guess we weren't at the right time, because the monks we saw appeared to only be walking and chatting.

This was the last major temple to be built in central Bangkok, and is nicknamed the Marble Temple from the type of marble used on the walls.
Here is a shot from the outside . . .

The pic below shows the guardians at the doorway - they are always found at Temples, and we have spotted guardians at restaurants, hotels, and numerous other buildings.


Above, shows a line of Buddha images. They are castes of the images found in temples throughout Thailand.
Below, is the main Buddha image of this Wat. Ryan thinks my photography is quite phenomenal in this one, as the Buddha image appears to be glowing, but I am putting it off to pure luck!