Bangkok Museums

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 9.00a.m.-4.00p.m. Admission fee is 30 Baht.

Philatelic Museum
Tel:271-2439

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.