The Thai Ramakien is an adaptation of the Indian Ramayana, a grand narrative dating much earlier in time. King Rama I and his successor, Rama II, took part in writing it.
These epic poems are the standard way in Indian tradition to hand down their sacred history in the form of a moral code to be followed by their believers.
You should count on it taking you close to an hour and a half, or so, to visit the Grand Palace and you are very likely to encounter a large number of holidaymakers, therefore it’s a good idea to go first thing in the morning, especially on scorching days or in the high season.
Covering your shoulders and legs is compulsory (the scarves aren’t accepted). If you do not have any suitable garments, you can borrow some to cover yourself on the grounds of the Palace. The service is free of charge and you will only need some change to leave the relevant deposit in cash, although a lot of time is wasted.