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. In addition to these, the museum features art by Asian Buddhist artists including Indian Gandhara, Chinese Tang, Vietnamese Cham, Indonesian Java and Cambodian Khmer styles. The museum has recently undergone a massive transformation, with twelve halls revamped and four more scheduled for renovation. With new interiors, bright lighting and multimedia enhancements, it has become an important attraction for travellers booking Thailand Packages from India.
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.
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.
- 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.
