Wat Pra Kaew was built to house the Emerald Buddha. It's thought to have been made in the 15th century and was the cause of several wars before ending up for good in Bangkok in 1782. The Emerald Buddha is the most important representation of the Buddha in Thai Buddhism. To pray before the Emerald Buddha is to make merit, and although this is an important place on any visitor’s itinerary, it is important to recognize that this is a place of worship and should be respected as such.

Photography inside the Emerald Buddha Chapel is strictly forbidden (sorry). This is not just a requirement of the chapel; taking pictures of Buddha images is against the law.