The construction of the Grand Palace began on 6 May 1782, at the order of King Phutthayotfa Chulalok (Rama I). [5] Having seized the crown from King Taksin of Thonburi, King Rama I was intent on building a capital city for his new Chakri dynasty.He moved the seat of power from the city of Thonburi, on the west side of the Chao Phraya River, to the east side at Bangkok.