museums

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Review Bangkok

National Museum
Tel: 224-1333
Within the walking distance of the Grand Palace is one of the largest and most comprehensive museums in Southeast Asia. Bangkok's National Museum houses a vast collection of artifacts found in all parts of the country ranging from Neolithic times, Sukhothai, Ayutthaya to the Bangkok period. The complex, once used as a palace, consists of several old but beautiful buildings of colourful Thai architectural design.
Guided tours in English, French, German, and Japanese are provided to visitors on certain days of the week.
It is open everyday, except Mondays, Tuesdays, and annual holidays, from 9.00 a.m.- 4.00 p.m. Admission fee is 40 Baht per person.

Rare Stone Museum
Tel: 236-5666, 236-5655, 236-5712
Located on Charoenkrung Road between Soi 26 and Soi 28 Bang Rak, this museum features thousands of queer stones found in Thailand and various countries as well as displays collections of ashtrays and cigarette labels.
It is open daily from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission fee is 100 Baht per person.


National Gallery Museum
Tel: 281-2224
This museum, located on Chao Fa Road opposite the National Museum, exhibits traditional and contemporary works of art created by Thai artists.
It is open to the public everyday except Mondays, Tuesdays, and public holidays from 9.00 a.m.-4.00 p.m. Admission fee is 30 Baht.


Philatelic Museum
Tel:27l-2439
The museum is on the 1st floor of the Metropolitan Postal Bureau behind Sam Sen Nai Post Office, Saphan Khwai area. Thai and foreign stamps of the past are on display. The collections of post books in both Thai and foreign languages are available at the library. Stamps and accessories for stamp collection are on sale.
It is open Tuesday - Saturday from 9.00 a.m.-4.00 p.m.


Royal Barge National Museum
Tel: 424-0004
Thailand's ornately carved and decorated Royal Barges are displayed in boatsheds on Khiong (Canal) Bangkok Noi, just off the Chao Phraya River near Phra Pin Klao Bridge on the Thon Buri side. The barges are used on royal occasions and formerly served as war vessels.
The shed is open everyday from 9.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m. Admission fee is 30 Baht.

Suan Pakkard Palace
Tel: 245-4934
Located on Si Ayutthaya Road, this complex of five Thai-style houses occupies a beautiful garden and houses an important collection of Asian antiques. A lacquer pavilion is decorated with sumptuous late Ayutthaya period gold leaf mural. There is also a Khon Museum where masks and costumes of the classical play are on display.
It is open daily from 9.00 a.m.-4.00 p.m. Admission fee is 100 Baht.

Vimamnek Mansion Museum
Tel: 281-1569, 281-1518, 281-6880
Located in the compound of the Dusit Palace on Ratchawithi Road, this is the world's largest golden teak building. The 3-storey royal mansion contains 81 rooms, halls and ante-chambers containing fin de siecle royal memorabilia. A guided tour is provided to visitors.
Other buildings in the same compound also display various items and art objects; for example, RM. King Bhumibol's photography, H.M. Queen Sirikit's collection of handicraft masterpieces created by rural people, paraphernalia of rank and portraits, old clocks, ancient cloth, and royal carriages.
The compound is open daily from 9.00 a.m.-4.00 p.m. Admission fee is 50 Baht.
Thai dancing shows are performed at 10.30 a.m. and 2.00 p.m. Proper attire is required.


Museum of Imagery Technology
Tel: 218-5583
The first camera and photograph museum established in Thailand and Asia, is located at the same building as the Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University on Phaya Thai Road. Historic photographs and imaging equipment, as well as its technological evolution are collected and displayed. Modern photographic arts, techniques and printing technology are also exhibited.
The museum is open Monday-Friday from 10.00 a.m.-3.30 p.m. Admission fee is 100 Baht.

Bangkok Doll Museum
Tel: 245-3008
Located on Soi Ratchataphan, off Ratchaprarop Road, this exhibits Thai dolls made by a local factory.
The museum is open daily, except Sundays, from 8.00 a.m. until 5.00 p.m.





Hall of Railway Heritage
Tel: 243-2037-9
This is a train museum where steam engines, train models, and miniature trains are exhibited along with the story of world railway systems. It is located on the western side of Chatuchak Park adjacent to Kamphaeng Phet Road.
It is open to the public only on Sundays from 5.00-12.00 a.m.


Prasart Museum
Tel: 379-3601, 379-3607
This museums location is 9 Soi 4 A, Krungthep Kritha Road of Srinakarintara Road, Bang Kapi, Bangkok. It houses a vast collection of artifacts from the prehistoric to Bangkok periods. The imitation of some beautiful Thai architecture is scattered within the museum complex.
Prasart Museum is open everyday except Mondays from 10.30 a.m.-3.00 p.m. Admission fee is 500 Baht each. Please contact the museum prior to a visit.

Thai Human Imagery Museum
Tel (034) 332109, 332607, 332061
Located at Km.31 Borom Ratchonnani Road on the way to Nakhon Pathom, the museum houses life-like sculptures created by a group of Thai artists after 10 years of their intensive study and hard work. These breathtaking human figures with various characteristics and the replicas of important people are displayed in many sections such as the Great Buddhist Monks, Former Kings of the Chakri Dynasty, and One Side of Thai Life.
The museum is open to the public from 9.00 a.m.-5.30 p.m. Admission fee is 200 Baht.


Jim Thomson's Thai House
Tel: 216-7368, 612-3744, 215-0122
This collection of traditional Thai-style houses, fashioned into one dwelling, belongs to the man who helped restore the Thai silk industry after World War II, and, today, preserved as a museum, contains a priceless collection of Asian objects art. The canal side museum is located in Soi Kasemsan 2 on Rama I Road opposite the National Stadium.
It is open Monday-Saturday, 9.00 a.m. until 4.30 p.m. Admission is 100 Baht.


Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Center
Tel: 880-9429
This center is located on Borom Ratchonnani Road beyond the Southern Bus Terminal. It is a national, institution responsible for systematic gathering processing and servicing of anthropological data scattered throughout the country. A variety of exhibitions on Social and Cultural Development in Thailand, Ethno-Archaeology, Thai Ceramic Collections, as well as the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Biography can be viewed.
It is open daily except Mondays.

The Khamthieng House
Tel: 661-6470-7
Located in the garden of the Siam Society on Sukhumvit Soi 21 (Asoke), this 200-year-old northern Thai-style house contains a collection of traditional implements used by Thai farmers.
It is open daily except Sundays and Mondays from 9.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m. Admission fee is 100 Baht.


Science Center for education
Tel: 392-1773, 392-5951-9
Situated next to the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekarnai) on Sukhumvit Road, this is an exhibition center on a variety of scientific knowledge including astronomy, communication technology, and biology. Visitors can also enjoy seeing an interesting aquarium, a computer world, a planetarium, as well other devices created for fun and education.
The museum is open daily except Mondays and public holidays from 8.30 a.m.-4.30 p.m. Admission fee is 30 Baht for adults and 15 Baht for children.









Thai Life Permanent Exhibition Hall
Tel 247-0028 ext. 154, 167
Located in the Thailand Cultural Centre on Ratchadaphisek Road, this is a venue for displaying the history of the Thai people and different aspects of Thai culture, as developed from pre-historic times up to the present. The exhibition is presented under five topics: The Evolution of the Thai Nation, Rice and Thai Way of Life, Thai Language and Literature, Thailand and the World, and Important Achievements and Events in Thai Society.
It is open Monday Friday 9.30 a.m.-4.30 p.m. Admission is free.



Ancient City
Tel: 224-1057, 226-1936
This is the worlds largest outdoor museum which consists of gigantic sized replicas of famous buildings, monuments, and temples found in all parts of Thailand. Visitors can travel around by private car in the area of 280 acres, which is approximately the geographic shape of Thailand. The Ancient City is located at Km. 33 on Sukhumvit Road, Samut Prakan Province.
The compound is open daily from 8.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m. Admission fee is 50 Baht per person.



Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo
Tel: 222-0094, 222-6889, 222-2208)
This inner-city riverine landmark contains several buildings with highly detailed architectural features. Wat Phra Kaeo within the same compound, is a treasure house of Thai arts, and houses the Emerald Buddha, the most revered Buddha image in Thailand.
To help tourists enjoy their tour of the Grand Palace, a Personal Audio Guide can be rented at 100 Baht for two hours. Discs are available in seven languages-English, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Japanese and Mandarin.
The complex is open daily from 8.30 a.rn.-3.30 p.m. Admission fee is 200 Baht. (including a ticket to Vimanmek Royal Mansion). Proper attire is essential.

Wat Mahathat
Tel: 222-6011, 222-8004
This old temple was built in the reign of King Rama I. It is located on Na Phrathat Road near Thammasat University. The temple houses Mahachulalongkorn Buddhist University, one of the two highest seats of Buddhist learning in Thailand and also offers meditation classes for foreigners.
The temple complex is open daily from 9.00 a.m.- 5.00 p.m.

Wat Pho
Tel: 222-0933
This large and extensive temple neighbours the Grand Palace enclave on Thai Wang Road and contains a gigantic gold plated Reclining Buddha some 46 meters long and 15 meters high with inlaid mother of pearl soles. The temple is also regarded as the first center of public education and is sometimes called Thailand's first university.
It is open to the public daily from 9.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m. Admission fee is 20 Baht.












Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)
Tel: 465-5640
This famous Chao Phraya riverbank landmark diagonally opposite the Grand Palace, is best known for a porcelain encrusted 79 meter central pagoda (phra prang) which sparkles in the sun. The temple can be reached either by Arun Amarin Road or by boat from Tha Tien Pier near Wat Pho.
Wat Arun is open daily from 08:30 - 17:30.












The Temple of Dawn or Wat Arun is named after the Hindi god of dawn, Aruna.

Located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, this temple can be reached either by Arun Amarin Road or by boat from Tha Tien Pier, near Wat Pho.

King Taksin chose this 17th century Wat for his royal temple and palace as it was the first place in Thonburi to catch the morning light. The Emerald Buddha was housed here after it was recaptured from Laos, before beeing moved to Wat Phra Kaeoin 1785.

Even without the sacred statue Wat Arun continued to be much revered and the kings Rama II and Rama III reconstructed and enlarged it to its present height of 104 meters.
Today, Wat Arun has a long elongated, Khmer-style, prang, the tower, and four minor towers symbolizing Mount Meru, the terrestrial representation of the thirty-three heavens.
The prang are covered with pieces of porcelain and dotted with Chinese statues which Chinese boats coming to Bangkok used as ballast.

₪ The main Prang:
Steep steps lead to the two terraces that form the base of the Prang. The different layers, or heavens, are supported by Kinnaree, or half-humans, and frightening Yaksas, or demons. Pavilions on the first platform contain statues of the Buddha at the most important stages of his life, while on the second terrace four statues of the Hindi god Indra or Erawan, his thirty-three headed elephant, stand guard.

Most tourists come for the climb and don't have time for the rest of the Wat. The main Buddha image inside the Bot is believed to have been designed by King Rama II himself, but the murals date from the reign of King Rama V

₪ Wat Arun is open daily from 08:30 - 17:30.
₪ To reach Wat Arun from Bangkok side, catch a cross-river ferry from Tha Tien at Thai Wang Road.
₪ Crossings are frequent and cost only 1 Baht.

Wat Ratchabophit
The temple is located on Fuang Nakhon Road near Wat Pho. Built by King Rama V in 1869, it was in keeping with tradition that each monarch constructed a temple to mark his reign. The temple is a mixture of local and western styles, showing an awakening interest in new ideas and a desire to experiment with them. The exterior of the chapel is in the That style, but the interior is decorated in the European style.

Wat Suthat and 'The Giant Swing Located on Bamrung Muang Road, this temple is noted for its superb 19th century murals in the main chapel. The distinctive Giant Swing outside the temple was once used in Brahmanic ceremonies long since discontinued. Nearby shops stock a very comprehensive range of Buddhist religious supplies.

Wat Thepthidaram Located on Mahachai Road, the temple was built in the reign of King Rama III with a mixture of Chinese architectural styles. Sunthon Phu, one of Thailand's greatest poets, had resided in this temple during his monk hood from 1840-1842. His residence is now open to the public.

Wat Ratchanatdaram Located on Mahachai Road, the temple was built in the reign of King Rama III in 1846. Loha Prasat, the temple's main attraction, standing 36 meters high with 37 surrounding spires, is the only one of its kind left in the world. Next to the temple is the area for welcoming an important foreign guest and a memorial, statue of King Rama III.

Wat Indravihan Located in the Bang Khun Phrom area on Wisutkasat Road, this temple is well known for a huge standing Buddha image called Luang Pho To. The image, built in the reign of King Rama IV, is 32 meters tall and 10 meters wide. The topknot of the Buddha image contains a relic of Lord Buddha brought from Sri Lanka.

Wat Bowon Niwet This temple is located on Phra Sumen Road in the Bang Lamphu area. Built in 1829, it is the shrine-hall of Phra Phutthachinnasi, a very beautiful Buddha image which was moulded in about 1357. Wat Bowon Niwet is one of the most important temples of Bangkok, whose one-time chief abbot was King Rama IV before he ascended the throne. Other Chakn kings who had resided here during their monk hood include King Rama IV and King Rama VII, as well as His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Wat Benchamabophit (The Marble Temple) Tel: 281-2501 Located on Si Ayutthaya Road, near Chitralada Palace, this unique marble temple was constructed during the reign of King Rama V. It employs European ecclesiastic details, such as stained glass windows, and contains a superb cloister collection of bronze Buddha images.

Wat Saket and The Golden Mountain Details Wat Saket's major feature is the Golden Mount, dating from the 1800s, which overlooks Ratchadamnoen Avenue. The golden chedi houses relics of Lord Buddha and offers a panoramic view of historic Bangkok. Admission to Wat Saket is free except for the final approach to the Golden Mountain summit; which costs 10 Baht. detail

Wat Trai Mit Located at the end of Chinatown's Yaowarat Road near Hualamphong Railway Station, this temple houses an ancient solid gold seated Buddha image of the Sukhothai Period, three meters in height and weighing five and a half tons.

Erawan Shrine Located on Ratchadamri Road, the shrine devoted to Phra Phrom, a Hindu god, is greatly revered by Thai people. Laced flowers and small wooden elephants as well as Thai dancing performances are always offered to the statue by grateful devotees.

Wat Paramal Ylkawat was constructed in Mon style over 200 years ago. King Rama V commanded to renovate the monastery dedicated to his grandmother and to construct Phra Maha Raman Chedi (a chedi in Mon style) to house Buddha relics. The principal Buddha of the monastery is carved with marble in Mon style, so it is also called "Wat Mon" (Mon Temple).

Wat Phal Lom Wat Phal Lom is well-known for the magnificent bot (ordination hall) in the Ayutthaya style. Some parts have been changed due to renovation. Behind the bot, there is a chedi in Mon style.

Wat Sao Thong Thong Wat Sao Thong Thong houses an old Ayutthaya style chedi and was the first secondary school in Pak Kret.

Wat Suwannaram Wat Suwannaram is a big royal monastery constructed during the reign of King Rama I and was subsequently renovated during the reign of King Rama III. Inside the bot, there are murals depicting the jataka, deities and the Buddha image in Subduing Mara Posture. These works of art of the early Rattanakosin period (1 9th century) are considered as the best surviving mural painting in Bangkok.

Wat Si Sudaram or Wat Chi Pakhao Wat Si Sudaram or Wat Chi Pakhao was built during the Ayutthaya period and was renovated by King Rama I. The temple houses some interesting buildings including Tarn Nak Daeng (a pavilion). Sala Kan Parian (a sermon hall) , and the residence of Sunthon Phu (the greatest poet of the Rattanakosin period). Moreover, visitors can enjoy feeding a number of freshwater fish here.

Wat Chalo Wat Chalo is assumed to have been constructed during the Sukhothai period as some Buddha images in Sukhothai style were found in front of the bot.

Wat Pho Bang O Wat Pho Bang O is a monastery constructed during the reign of King Rama III. The top of the bot was made of wood; mural painting inside the bot was made during the existence of the Nonthaburi school of painting.

Wat Bang 0l Chang Wat Bang OI Chang houses a 200-year-old Buddha sole, which was found by Phra Khru Nawa Kam Koson (the first abbot of this monastery) while traveling in Phitsanuloke province during 1986 A.D.

Wat Kaeo Fa Wat Kaeo Fa is an ancient temple located in an open area next to Khiong Bangkok Noi. According to archaeologists, many buildings and art objects here were constructed in the Ayutthaya style; for example; the Ubosot, the Buddha image, the boundary stones, the boundary wall, the chedi behind the bot and the chedi with 12 cornered indented pillar. The monastery later was renovated during the Rattanakosin period.

Wat Prasat Wat Prasat was built during the Late Ayutthaya period. The monastery is well-known for its well-preserved mural painting made by artisans of the Nonthaburi school, and the gable made of carved timber. Visitors who come along by boat have to walk about 2 kilometers through orchards from the pier.

Wat Amphawan Wat Amphawan was constructed during the Late Ayutthaya period. This temple houses Ho Trai (a hall for keeping scriptures) which is situated in the middle of a pond. The building was made of wood in magnificent Thai style.

Wat Pak Nam Wat Pak Nam is famous for amulets and is always crowded with a number of people who come to make merit during the weekend.

Wat Ko Wat Ko houses an old viharn (chapel) which was registered as an archaeological site.