Tuk-tuk drivers are professional liars. "Palace closed today special ceremony, I take you gem shopping first then VIP entrance ฿2000." Complete garbage every single time. There are no VIP entrances, no special tickets, no shortcuts.

Official entrance ฿500 at the gate, period. Palace open 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM daily except rare actual royal ceremonies (maybe twice yearly). Express boat to Tha Chang Pier (orange flag line), walk 5 minutes following crowds. Ignore every person who approaches with helpful suggestions - they're all scammers.

Dress code enforced brutally - no shorts, no sleeveless shirts, no exceptions for foreign tourists. They sell overpriced pants and shirts at entrance if you mess up planning. Smart tourists arrive wearing proper clothes and avoid the markup.

Go before 9 AM or prepare for tourist hell - cruise ship groups arrive by 10 AM and turn the place into a sweaty nightmare. After noon it's basically Disneyland with golden Buddhas.