Bangkok, Siam (Thailand): the verandah outside the Chapel of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra K̄æo). Photograph by John Thomson, 1865/1866.

The chapel of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra K̄æo) is in the precincts of the Grand Palace, Bangkok. The photograph shows some of the adornments of the exterior, such as the gilded stucco reliefs, doors inlaid with mother-of-pearl, and the stair-risers faced with Chinese porcelain tiles with designs of flowers and birds. Two boys are crouching down at the foot of the steps, another is sitting on a bench. Two Dutch statues representing Winter and Spring stand on either side of the steps: they passed subsequently to the Somdet Phra Narai National Museum at Lopburi, Thailand. For further details see Paisarn Piemmettawat, loc. cit.