It is one of the largest museums in Southeast Asia. It has art and artifacts which talks about the history and Thai culture. The museum was established and started in 1874 by King Chulalongkorn to showcase the royal collection of his Father King Mongkut. Today the museum has art that dates back to the Neolithic times. The collection has the The King Ram Khamhaeng’s Inscription which was added to the UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme because it is very important and valuable
It has other artefacts dating from the Dvaravati, Srivijaya, to Sukhothai and Ayutthaya periods. Apart from the art from these eras it also has the display of Asian Budhhist artists such as the Indian Gandhara, Chinese Tang, Vietnamese Cham, Indonesian Java, and Cambodian Khmer arts. The museum underwent massive transformation.Twelve halls have been renovated already and 4 more will be transformed soon. They will get new interior, bright lighting and multimedia display
Entrance Fee
Yes, the National Museum Bangkok charges an entrance fee of 200 THB per person for foreign visitors. Thai citizens pay 30 THB, and children under 15 can enter for free of cost. The ticket also grants access to the National Museum of Royal Barges and the National Gallery.
Opening Hours
The National Museum Bangkok is open from Wednesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with the last entry at 3:30 PM. It remains closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Please note that some rooms may be closed during lunchtime.
Direction
The National Museum Bangkok is located on Na Phra That Road, near Sanam Luang, close to the Grand Palace area. To get there easily, take the Chao Phraya Express Boat to Tha Chang Pier, then walk about 10 minutes. Alternatively, taxi or tuk-tuk from central Bangkok is convenient. To exit the National museum simply walk out of the main entrance gate.
Museums in Bangkok
| Museum Name | Location |
|---|---|
| Jim Thompson House Museum | 6 Soi Kasemsan 2, Rama 1 Rd, Bangkok |
| National Museum Bangkok | Na Phra That Rd, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok |
| Museum Siam | 4 Sanam Chai Rd, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok |
| Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) | 499 Vibhavadi Rangsit Rd, Chatuchak, Bangkok |
| Bangkokian Museum | 273 Soi Charoen Krung 43, Bang Rak, Bangkok |
| Science Center for Education (Planetarium) | 928 Sukhumvit Rd, Phra Khanong, Bangkok |
| The Erawan Museum | 99/9 Sukhumvit Rd, Samut Prakan |
| Royal Barges National Museum | Khlong Bangkok Noi, Bangkok |
| Siriraj Medical Museum | 2 Wang Lang Rd, Bangkok Noi, Bangkok |
| Suan Pakkad Palace Museum | 352 Si Ayutthaya Rd, Ratchathewi, Bangkok |
| Congdon Anatomical Museum | 2 Wang Lang Rd, Bangkok Noi, Bangkok |
| Muse Shop by Museum Siam | 4 Sanam Chai Rd, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok |
| The Wireless House One Bangkok | Wireless Rd, Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Bangkok |
| Royal Thai Air Force and National Aviation Museum | Phahonyothin Rd, Don Mueang, Bangkok |
| Children’s Discovery Museum | Chatuchak, Bangkok |
History
The museum was started by King Chulalongkorn .He displayed all the royal artifacts that belonged to his Father. The palace was home to the vice king, a person chosen by the king, (usually his brother). Much later the king removed the position of the vice king and turned the palace into a museum in 1887
Before that in 1874 the King Chulalongkorn opened Thailand’s first public museum in a building called the Concordia Pavilion inside the Grand Palace.It showed his father’s collection and other interesting items. The museum opened on September 19, 1874, and that date is now celebrated as the beginning of Thailand’s national museum system.
Museum regulations
- Before entering the museum show the ticket to the staff present in the entrance of the museum
- Shoes must be opened before entering the museum
- Bags must be kept in the locker area.
- Additionally, selfies, flash photography, and video recording are not allowed inside the museum.
- Furthermore, smoking is strictly prohibited within the museum premises.
- Visitors should dress modestly; sleeveless shirts and shorts are usually prohibited, and women should ensure their skirts extend below the knee.
Is National Museum Bangkok worth visiting?
Yes, visiting the National museum is worth visiting especially if you are someone interested in Thai culture and history. There are many reasons one must visit the museum which includes historical significations, large and organised collections.
Large collection: You will find wide variety of artifacts from different periods and parts of the world which will tell a lot about the ancient Thai culture and history
Organised Collection: The collection is organized era and region wise , so you can explore the artifacts accordingly
Popular: It is well maintained and popular among all the visitors as this museum is the national museum of Bangkok
Historical Significance: The art and artefacts will give you insight into the royal Thai culture and the influence of Buddhism on Thai art and culture.