Bangkok's Museums

National Museum and City Pillar

Both are located near the Royal Palace, adjacent to Sanam Luang Park in the Banglumphu area of Bangkok. The National Museum is one of the largest and most comprehensive museums in South East Asia. It houses a vast collection of artifacts found in all parts of the country ranging from Neolithic times, to the ancient capitals of Sukhothai and Ayutthaya up to the current Bangkok period.

The City Pillar Shrine is a particularly nice place to visit on a hot day when the interior is cool or on weekends when it’s very busy with local people visiting to pay respect and make offerings. This graceful temple-like structure houses Lak Muang, the first wooden pillar of the city initiated by King Rama I, the first monarcdh of the present Chakri dynasty, as the foundation pillar for his new capital city of Bangkok. Many people believe Lak Muang has the power to grant wishes, hence its many Thai visitors. It is lesser known to western tourists as it is not mentioned in many of the guidebooks but it is especially recommended here.

National Museum of the Royal Barges

This museum is located on Klong Bangkok Noi off the Chao Phraya River. The barges are used on royal and government occasions and formerly served as war vessels. The most beautiful and well-known barge is Suphana-hong. It is used by the King when he makes His royal river procession for the Kathin ceremony, a Buddhist tradition of offering robes to monks, usually during October or November. The Narai Songsuban Rachakarn Thi Kao is the latest royal barge to be constructed and was built for the current King’s Golden Jubilee in 1996. The unique design and decorative details of the barges are popular with tourists and photographers will find many good opportunities here.

Museums

Apart from the National Museum, there are many other smaller galleries and museums catering to a variety of special interests. Here are a few:

The National Gallery, located at the foot of Pinklao Bridge in Banglumphu, displays both classical and contemporary art by renowned Thai artists.

The Museum of Sciences and the Planetarium, on Sukhimvit Road at Ekkamai (BTS Station) for displays on general science topics and astrology.

The Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, located on Sirindhorn Road, Talingchan, exhibits works on the social and cultural development of Thailand, ethnology, archeology and anthropology.

Siriraj Museum, at the hospital of the same name which was founded by King Rama V, was established to help medical students with their studies but is of interest to many people involved in the medical fields.

The King Prajadhipok Museum is dedicated to the life of Siam’s first constitutional monarch, including photographs, personal effects and objects d’art. It is located at 2 Lanluang Rd, Somanas, Pomprah.

The Queen’s Gallery, located on Ratchadamnoen Klang Road, easy walking from Khao San Road, provides a permanent home for a wide range of Thai paintings and sculptures and also visiting overseas exhibitions.

The Lord Buddha Images Museum is located at 5/9 Puttha-monthon Sai 2 Roade, Thawi-watthana District and houses 200 large images of the Lord Buddha dating from the Indian Kupta period to the Rattanakosin period and some 3,000 smaller images.

For stamp buffs, the Philatelic Museum is reached easily as it is located near the Saphan Kwai BTS Skytrain station. It exhibits Thai and foreign stamps.

The Bangkok Doll Museum is centrally located near Pratunam Market. Many different types of Thai dolls are made and sold here.

In the grounds of Queen Sirikit Park in Sukhumvit Road is located the Childrens’ Museum which houses a variety of displays and activities designed especially for children.

For photographers, there is the Museum of Imaging Technology in the grounds of Chulalongkorn University. It offers a range of fascinating exhibits on the science and art of photography and printing; a display of old camera equipment dating from 1839 and the latest breakthroughs in electronic imaging.

The House of Museums displays “everyday” items from days past, old photographs and things that relate to peoples’ lives that do not normally find their way into modern museums.

There is a Rare Stone Museum on New road between Soi 26 and Soi 28

The Bicycle Museum houses some 400 exhibits up to 95 years old. It is located at Soi Saun Phak 4, Taling Chan. With several bycicles mounted on the roof of the building, it’s not hard to spot.

Last but certainly not least is the Miniature Ship Museum, contact 02 517 2080 to arrange a visit.

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