Great Museums you must visit
The best museums also serve as some of the city’s finest cultural venues. Besides displaying centuries-old arts of historical significance as well as Buddhist relics and modern art pieces, some of these Bangkok museums are housed in buildings just as interesting as their contents. Take a look at our favourite museums in Bangkok – we’re confident you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the quality of the artistic, historical and cultural items on show.
1. Bangkok National Museum
The Bangkok National Museum displays Thailand’s largest collection of local art. Founded by King Rama V, the museum occupies the former 18th-century Wang Na Palace in Phra Nakhon. It’s within walking distance of Wat Phra Kaew and The Grand Palace, so you can easily combine a day trip to these spots while in Bangkok. Exhibits are arranged into 3 areas consistent with Thai history, with good English descriptions available.
Location : Na Phra That Alley, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Open : Wednesday–Sunday from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm (closed on Monday and Tuesday)
Entrance Fees : 200 THB.
2. Museum of Siam
Museum of Siam occupies a very large neoclassical house near Wat Pho. It’s definitely not the usual display of historical artefacts and dusty mannequins you’d expect to find in such an antique building – wooden stairs, ceramic tiles and old-fashioned columns contrast with resolutely modern art. From room to room, 'The Roong' transports you through all things Thai, from the very beginning of Ayutthaya to the daily life and highlights of Thai history, wars, Buddhism and finally the rapid entry into the modern world.
Location : 4 Sanam Chai Rd, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Open : Tuesday–Sunday from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm (closed on Mondays)
Entrance Fees : 200 THB.
3. Bank of Thailand
Bank of Thailand Museum at Bangkhunphrom Palace takes you on an intriguing and interesting jaunt through monetary evolution in Thailand. The museum is only open to groups of 10 or less (by appointment only), but the building alone is worth seeing. Boasting beautiful baroque and rococo architecture from the early 20th century, you can bask in the restored Italian-inspired glory of Prince Paribatra's former palace residence.
Location : 273 Samsen Road, Wat Sam Phraya, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Open : Tuesday–Sunday from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm (closed on Mondays)
Entrance Fees : Free
4. Nitas Rattanakosin
The conceptual idea to express the exhibition of history, art, and culture is the key for visitors to feel and sense of its value. The important target group of visitors is youth, and that is the toughest quest of how to learn all of these effectively. Since the learning of history is the most boring topic for the youth or even others, that is the reason why the need for modern technology in exhibitions is important. A new technology in collecting knowledge for the youth to learn history, art, and culture, will make them interested, ease of understand, and create proud of Thailand for the next generations.
Location : 100 Ratcha Damnoen Klang Avenue, Bawonniwet Sub-District, Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok
Open : Tuesday to Sunday from 10.00 am to 7.00 pm Guided tours begin approximately every 20 minutes. Last entrance at 5.00 p.m.
Entrance Fees :
- Adult 100 THB. (Both Thai nationals and foreigners )
- Children (Height less than 120 cm.) Free
- Student in Uniform (not exceeds Bachelor degree) Free when shows ID card
- Buddhist monks, novice, disable, and elderly aged 60 years or above are Free admission
5. Royal Barges Museum
The Royal Barges Museum displays 8 of Thailand’s most unique and stunning vessels, the Royal Barges. These boats a reserved for auspicious ceremonies and state occasions like the very rare Royal Barge Procession and have only made an appearance on the water about 16 times in the last 65 years. You can easily find the Royal Barges Museum near the Thonburi side, not far from Phra Pin Klao Bridge. Note that the barges might not be in the museum during or in preparation for the special ceremonies.
Location : 80/1 Rim Khlong Bangkok Noi Arun Amarin, Bangkok Noi, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
Open : Daily from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm
Entrance Fees : 100 THB.
6. Samut Prakan Ancient City
Samut Prakan Ancient City spans 320 acres of landscaped gardens on the outskirts of Bangkok, preserving Thailand's cultural heritage through scaled-down replicas of prominent temples, national parks, and monuments. One of the world’s largest outdoor museums, it has a 200-acre city with 109 scaled-down copies of Thailand’s most famous monuments and architectural attractions.
Location : 296/1 Moo 7 Sukhumvit Road, Bangpoomai, Samut Prakan 10280, Thailand
Open : Daily from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm
Entrance Fees : Adult 700 THB. / Children (6-14 years) 350 THB.
7. Thai Human Imagery Museum
The Thai Human Imagery museum displays life-like wax/fibreglass sculptures with exquisite details. Created by Ms. Duangkaeo Thippayakonsilp and a group of Thai artists, these breathtakingly, real-looking human figures of various charaters and replicas of important people are displayed in different sections such as the Great Buddhist Monks, Former Kings of the Chakri Dynasty, and One Side of Thai Life: Thai Chess, Thai Family, and Abolition of Slavery among many others.
Location : 43/2 Mu.1, Pinklao Nakhon Chaisi road at KM 31, Tambon Kun Kaet, Amphoe Nakhon Chaisi, Nakhon Pathom
Open :
Monday-Friday (9.00 am-5.30 pm)
Saturday-Sunday and National Holiday (8.30 am-6.00 pm)
Entrance Fees : 200 THB.
