...Palace was just a 20-minute walk from our guesthouse. The Palace is the home of Thailand's much beloved King Bhumibol Adulyadej, or Rama IX (who is protected from any criticism by Thailand's Constitution). We visited the Grand Palace...

...Palace was just a 20-minute walk from our guesthouse. The Palace is the home of Thailand's much beloved King Bhumibol Adulyadej, or Rama IX (who is protected from any criticism by Thailand's Constitution). We visited the Grand Palace...

...Palace was just a 20-minute walk from our guesthouse. The Palace is the home of Thailand's much beloved King Bhumibol Adulyadej, or Rama IX (who is protected from any criticism by Thailand's Constitution). We visited the Grand Palace...

...before an elephant can be presented to the king and - in more prosperous times - an elaborate ceremony is staged. Bhumibol Adulyadej, the much-loved king and a keen conservationist, decided to waive the custom of keeping white elephants near...