Ian Robert Knight Photography

It’s a well-known fact that you haven’t truly been to Toronto unless you have this photo. The reflecting pool / ice rink (depending on the season) was not filled, but it’s still cool. © Ian Robert Knight

This is the Phra Thinang Dusit Maha Prasat, or Throne Hall. It's where high ranking members of the royal family would lie in state for 100 days after death. It's usually one of the last buildings people see as they exit the Grand Palace complex. © Ian Robert Knight

This is one of 7 gates allowing entry to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha grounds. This one is located on the east wall, directly across from the Royal Pantheon. It's unusual, in that it has an elephant mounting stand (outside the gate), so you could arrive or leave by elephant, if you were so inclined to do so.

On either side of the gate are two giants from Thai mythology. They're 16ft tall, and each one is unique around the complex. These two are Suriyaphop (left) and Intarachit (right). © Ian Robert Knight

This is one of two Phra Suvarnachedi that sit outside the Royal Pantheon in Bangkok's Temple of the Emerald Buddha and Grand Palace complex. This specific chedi commemorates the father of the first King (Rama I) of the Thai Chakri dynasty.

Surrounding the base, and "supporting" it, are 4 statues of monkeys and 16 statues of giants. It's made of copper, which is lacquered and then covered in gold leaf. It's a very popular place to take photos (while standing like the monkeys) on the palace grounds. © Ian Robert Knight

Another shot of Prasat Phra Thep Bidon, which is usually crawling with selfie-stick-wielding tourists, but wonderfully empty on this day. This building, was originally meant to house the Emerald Buddha, but it never did. In fact, this is the second building on this base, because the original structure burnt down in 1903.

This new building was completed a few years later, and it's purpose was changed to become a Royal Pantheon. It's generally closed all year, except for one day per year. For the rest of the year, it makes for an impressive background for selfies. © Ian Robert Knight

This is one of 8 prangs that form a row along the eastern wall of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha at Bangkok's Grand Palace complex. Each one is painted in a different colour, representing a different aspect of Buddhism. This light blue one is dedicated to Chakravarti (universal ruler concept), and is covered in fine porcelain. © Ian Robert Knight

One of the things I find really fascinating inside Bangkok's Grand Palace complex are the huge murals painted on the walls of the buildings. I could spend hours looking at the artwork, and always find new things to see. It's exceptionally detailed work, and full of Thai history, stories and myths. © Ian Robert Knight

The building on the left is Ho Phra Monthiantham, a scripture hall and library, built with proceeds from King Rama I's brother. Beside it, on the right, is Prasat Phra Thep Bidon, or the Royal Pantheon. It contains lifelike statues of the previous 9 kings of the Thai Chakri Dynasty. It's only open to the public one day per year, on Chakri Memorial Day. © Ian Robert Knight

Taking advantage of a time when hardly anyone is around, the Grand Palace gets a much-needed scrubbing. On the day I visited the grounds, power washers were out in full force. Having the worker in the photo really gives a sense of the scale of the stupa. © Ian Robert Knight