The Palace has an area of 218,400 Sq. meters and is surrounded by walls, built in 1782. The length of the four walls totals 1900 meters. Within these walls are situated government offices and Chapel Royal of Emerald Buddha, besides the royal residences.

When Siam restored law and order after the fall of Ayutthaya, the monarch lived in Thonburi, on the other side of the river. Rama I, immediately on ascending the throne, moved the center of administration to this side of Chao Phraya; and after erecting public monuments, such as fortifications and monasteries, built a palace to serve not only as his residence, but also his offices, the various ministries, only one of which remains in the palace walls.

This palace came to be known as "Grand Palace", in which the earliest edifices contemporary with the foundation of Bangkok, where the two group of residences named "Dusit Maha Prasat" and "Phra Maha Monthian".