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| Cultural Attractions |
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 National Museum |
| Lacation : Na Phrathat Road |
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Established in 1926 in the reign of King Rama VII, it is located within walking distance of the Grand Palace next to Thammasat University, this is the largest and most comprehensive museum in Southeast Asia. It contains an 18th century palace and a group of well-designed buildings, housing Thailand's artistic treasures from prehistoric to contemporary. |
The National Museum houses three permanent exhibition galleries as follows:
1. The Thai History Gallery
2. The Archaeological & Art History Collections
3. The Decorative Arts & Ethnological Collections
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| Tours conducted at 9.30 a.m. daily -- in English (on Wed and Thur), French (Wed and Thur), German (Thur) and Japanese (Wed). |
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| King Prajadhipok Museum |
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Location: Near Phanfa Lilat Bridge, Lan Luang Road |
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The neoclassic building of the museum was built in 1906, towards the end of King Rama V's reign. Designed by a Western architect, the three-storey concrete edifice is decorated with Greco-Roman motifs and reliefs with a dome-shaped tower topping its front hall. It was originally known as the John Sampson Store, selling Western clothing and custom-made suits.
In 1933, the Public Works Department took over the building as its headquarters. In 2001, King Prajadhipok Institute received the sanction of the Public Works Department for use of the building as the museum. |
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| Permanent Exhibition Halls |
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Located on the 2nd and 3rd floors, the halls display the royal regalia and personal effects of King Prajadhipok (Rama VII) and photographs, documents and films concerning the King's life and the two historic events, in which the King played a leading role -- the 1932 Revolution and the Conferment of the first Constitution of Thailand.
Besides, there are a temporary exhibition room and a museum shop on the first floor.
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| National Theatre |
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Location : Na Phrathat Road |
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It is located next to the National Museum near Sanam Luang Ground. The theatre features performances of khon, a Thai mask dance drama, on the first Saturday and Sunday of every month, at 13.30 and 17.00 hours. And on the last Friday of every month at 17.00 hours, Sisuk Nattakam Group of the Fine Arts Department stages lakhon , another type of Thai classical dance drama. |
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Interested persons please check the programme at tel. 0 2224 1342 or 0 2221 8191. |
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| Joe Louis Theatre Rose Garden |
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Location : Suanlum Night Bazaar, Rama IV Road |
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Covering an area of over 20 hectares, it is a beautiful flower garden resort, noted for its scenic riverside landscape. At the resort, there are a Thai cultural village and a restaurant. It also stages cultural shows, folk dances and martial arts at 14.30 every day. |
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| National Art Gallery |
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Location : On Chaofa Road opposite the National Theatre |
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The National Art Gallery exhibits both classical and contemporary arts of renowned Thai artists. His Majesty King Bhumibol's oil paintings are also displayed. For more information, call 0 2281 2224, 0 2282 2639.
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| The Queen's Gallery |
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Location : Off Srinakarin Road |
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Located on the eastern outskirt of Bangkok, the park covers an area of about 80 hectares. It is the largest botanical park in Bangkok built to commemorate the auspicious 60th birthday of H.M. the King in 1987.
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The major attraction is the Royal Pavilion displaying a replica of the work room of H.M. the King containing all his working equipment and reference materials. The park is best visited in the cool season when abundant flowers are in full bloom. Moreover, a flower festival is held here annually around early December.
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| Suan Pakkad Palace |
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Location : On Si Ayutthaya Road |
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Suan Pakkad Palace, built by Prince and Princess Chumbhot of Nakhon Sawan, consists of five traditional Thai houses overlooking a beautiful garden. They were moved from Chiang Mai in 1952. The palace, which has been turned into a museum, displays works of art, antiques and everyday objects such as perfume bottles, betel-nut boxes and musical instruments.
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Ban Chiang House The house keeps pottery and bronze jewellery discovered at Ban Chiang, an important Bronze Age settlement in Northeastern Thailand, dating from around 1666 to 500 B.C. The ground floor houses a large collection of minerals and sea shells.
Lacquer Pavilion The remarkable gold and black lacquer murals exhibiting here depict events from the life of the Buddha and the Ramayana epic.
For more information, call 0 2245 4934, 2245 6368
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| Khamthieng House |
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Location : Siam Society on Asok Road (Sukhumwit 21) |
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Located in the compound of the Siam Society on Asok Road, this authentic northern Thai teak house was built in Chiang Mai in 1848. It was moved in perfect condition to Bangkok in 1963 in order to keep a specimen of the Lanna Thai style architecture for the younger generations. Khamthieng House: On display are equipment and tools used daily by farmers and fishermen in the North. |
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| Jim Thompson's House |
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Location : On Soi Kasemsan off Rama I Road |
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This remarkable Thai-style wooden house once belonged to the late Mr. Jim Thompson, an American silk entrepreneur. The house, now a museum, displays Mr. Thompson's splendid collection of Asian artefacts and antiques. |
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