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National Museum Bangkok

The National Museum Bangkok

The National Museum Bangkok. Museums in Bangkok.

The National Museum Bangkok, established in 1874 in the reign of King Rama V. It is the largest museum in South East Asia. It consists of multiple buildings housing a massive collection of historical Thai artifacts. Exhibits date from  Dvaravati, Srivijaya, to the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya period. The museum also displays extensive collections of regional Asian Buddhist Art. Indian Gandhara, Chinese Tang, Vietnamese Cham, Indonesian Java, and Cambodian Khmer.

The museum is in the Rattanakosin district opposite Sanam Luang, a short walk from the Grand Palace. The ticket office is just inside the main gates to the left.

The National Museum Bangkok. Museums in Bangkok.
The National Museum
The National Museum Bangkok. Museums in Bangkok.
The Siwamokhaphiman Hall

National Museum Bangkok Exhibits

There are three main exhibitions. Firstly, Thai history, archaeological, and art history. Secondly, decorative arts.  Thirdly, ethnological history.

The National Museum Bangkok. Museums in Bangkok.
Sala Longsong
The National Museum Bangkok. Museums in Bangkok.
The National Museum Bangkok

The Siwamokhaphiman Hall

The Thai History Gallery at the front of the Siwamokhaphiman Hall provides an overview of Thai history spanning the Sukothai to Rattanakosin periods. It features the famous King Ramkhamhaeng black stone Inscription which dates from the 12th century. The Archaeological and Art History collection is in the back of the Siwamokhaphiman Hall and in the North Wing Building.

The National Museum Bangkok. Museums in Bangkok.
Buddhist Sculptures

There are displays of historic sculptures and exhibits from the Dvaravati, Srivijaya and Lopburi periods. The date from before 1257 AD, up to the Bangkok period 1782.  There are exhibits from all over Asia including one of the earliest statues of the Buddha from Gandhara. Also various Buddhist sculptures in stone, bronze, and terracotta. There is also an impressive Javanese statue of the elephant-headed Ganesh.

The National Museum Bangkok. Museums in Bangkok.
Buddha Head

The prehistory section displays artifacts from Ban Chiang, one of the earliest bronze age settlements ever discovered. Items on show include pottery, ax-heads, spear points, tools, and bronze objects.

The National Museum Bangkok. Museums in Bangkok.

The National Museum Bangkok. Museums in Bangkok.
Buddha images

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Decorative Arts Collection

The Decorative Arts and Ethnological collection is in the old central palace building and features Chinese weapons, gold treasures, precious stones, royal emblems, Costumes, Khon masks, puppets, ceramics, clothing and textiles, Carved Ivory, woodcarving, old weapons, old royal transportation and traditional musical instruments from around South East Asia.

The National Museum Bangkok. Museums in Bangkok.
Royal bed and crib
The National Museum Bangkok. Museums in Bangkok.
Rare Buddha images
The National Museum Bangkok. Museums in Bangkok.
Old Weapons
The National Museum Bangkok. Museums in Bangkok.
A royal carriage

The Buddhaisawan Chapel

Also in the complex is the Buddhaisawan Chapel which houses the second-holiest Buddha in Thailand, PhraBuddhasihing. Inside the chapel, mural paintings depict scenes from the life of the Buddha.

The National Museum Bangkok. Museums in Bangkok.
The Buddhaisawan Chapel
The National Museum Bangkok. Museums in Bangkok.
The Buddhaisawan Chapel

The Red House

The Red House or Tamnak Daeng is an Ayutthaya period house made from golden teak. It features early Bangkok period style decor to illustrate Thai people’s lifestyles in the past. Some of the objects once belonged to Queen Sri Suriyen including a large beautifully carved bed. The house also has a rare indoor bathroom.

The National Museum Bangkok. Museums in Bangkok.
The Red House
The National Museum Bangkok. Museums in Bangkok.
The Red House interior.

The Funeral Chariot Hall

Next to the Northern building is the Funeral Chariot Hall featuring carriages used for royal cremation. Most of the Chariots date from the reign of King Rama 1 between 1782-1809 and are made from teak. The highlight is the very large beautifully carved Grand Chariot of Victory built-in 1795. This chariot, used for the funeral of every King and Queen, carries the urn containing the body to the funeral pyre. The chariot weighs 20 tons and is hand pulled by soldiers. It takes 160 men to pull it from the front and 135 behind it to act as brakes.

The National Museum Bangkok. Museums in Bangkok.
The funeral chariot hall
The National Museum Bangkok. Museums in Bangkok.
The Grand Chariot of Victory
The National Museum Bangkok. Museums in Bangkok.
Grand Chariot of Victory
The National Museum Bangkok. Museums in Bangkok.
The Grand Chariot carvings

National Museum Bangkok Tours

Free tours of the National Museum are available in English and French on Wednesday/Thursday. Also in Japanese on Wednesdays and German on Thursdays. Tours start at 09.30. There are a cafe and a souvenir shop next to the ticket office.

Scams

When approaching, the museum beware of touts outside who will tell you that the museum, is closed. They are even there when the museum actually is closed. They will try to talk you into taking a cheap tuk-tuk tour which is a shopping trip to various dodgy gem stores.

Where is the National Museum Bangkok?

Location: 4 Na Phra That Road
District: Rattanakosin
Opening Hours: 09.00-16.00 Wednesday-Sunday
Admission: 200 baht
Rules: No bags allowed inside. Free lockers.

How to get there

Bus: 3,6, 9, 15, 30, 32, 33, 43, 53, 59, 64, 65, 80, 91, 123, 124, 503, 524

Maphttps://goo.gl/maps/dJNRMFWiaxp

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