Phra Maha Monthian (the royal residence group) is located in the inner and central parts of the Grand Palace towards the eastern side. It was the first group of buildings constructed by King Rama I as his own residence. He also used it for his coronation. Since then the coronations of all monarchs of the Chakri Dynasty have taken place there.

          This group of buildings is composed of three large one storey structures lying parallel and connected by short corridors. King Rama IV named them as follows:- Chakraphat Phiman, Phaian Thaksin and Amarin thra Winitchai.

Chakraphat Phiman Hall

          This is the main building of the group, situated in the inner quarters. On the gable board there is a carving in relief of Indra seated in an open sided celestial chariot and surrounded by decorative motifs in the shape of Naga heads.

          Chakraphat Phiman is a living apartment containing the royal bed chamber and a big sitting room which now houses the royal regalia. It is the custom for a newly crowned king to spend a night in this palace of his fore father to indicate that he has assumed similar responsibility for and power over the realm. In front of this section is an antechamber, decorated with interesting murals depicting the seals of state (the Royal Lion of the Ministry of Interior, the Elephantine-Lion of the Ministry of Defense and the Deity of the Crystal Lotus of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs). On the walls are pictures of Hindu heavens and divinities adopted by Buddhism for decorative purposes.

The bed chamber is to the east, and contains the originalbed of King Rama I. The first few monarches used this building as their living quarters but the kings of later times built their own residence. They come here only to spend the night of the coronation in accordance with tradition.

At the rear of this building are annexes on the right and left. Both of them are small with raised bases; roofs are of glazed tiles and gilt wood decorations.

These annexes were the living quarters of court ladies and Rama VI called them as “Phra Thinang Thepsathanphilat” and “Phra Thinang Theppha Atphilai” respectively.

Phaisan Thaksin Hall

          This lines parallel to Phra Thinang Chakraphat Phiman and in front of it. Indra is seen on the gable board, seated in the celestial palace with three spires.

          An important part of the coronation ceremony takes place in this hall. On an octagonal throne the King receives the invitation from the representatives of the people to rule over the kingdom. On the coronation throne, called “Phattharabit” he receives the royal regalia, including the crown and the nine tired white umbrella from the Chief Court Brahmin.

          The inner circle of King Rama I's family regularly used this hall, and when he was taken seriously ill towards the end of his life he chose to lie here. He called meetings here instead of at the royal audience hall, taking his position at the Siha Banchon window through which he looked down on officials reporting state affairs.

          In the middle of the hall is an altar where was places the symbolic guardian figure of siam “Phra Siam Devadhiraj”. There are also two thrones used during the coronation ceremony, called Phra Thinang Atthathit Uthumphon Ratcha-at at the eastern end of the room and Phra Thinang Phattharabit to the west. West of the Phaisan Thaksin hall is a small chamber where images of the Buddha are kept.

Amarinthra Winitchai Hall

          This is located in front of the central part of the precinct. It is an audience hall lying north to south, with the floor slightly raised. In front of this hall there is an open annex built by King Rama IV with small wings on the left and right.

          The gable end of the hall is carved with a similar pattern as thet of Phaisan Thaksin hall. The pillars inside the hall were originally hewn from tree trunks. These were later strengthened by surrounding them with bricks and mortar to form square pitters in the reign of King Rama III.

          There are two thrones in this hall which were made in the time of King Rama I; the upper throne in the shape of boat which is now used as an altar, and another in front of it which is surmounted by the nine tired umbrella. In the olden days it was the formal audience hall where the king met his officials to discuss state affairs. The two British Ambassadors- John Crawfurd during the reign of King Rama IV – were both received here. This audience hall is used for many ceremonies such as Their Majesty's Birthday rites and merit making ceremonies. The king also receives the credentials of foreign envoys in this hall.

Dusidaphirom Pavilion

          This pavilion was built in the time of King Rama I. It is at the corner where the western and northern walls meet. The original building was a tall wooden one. Bricks and mortar were added during the reign of King rama III. On the north and east, at the central doors are mounting platforms for palanquin and elephant respectively.This pavilion is a robbing chamber for the king arriving or departing by palanquin or elephant.