8 Museums In Thailand That Will Walk You Through The Lesser Known Historical Past
Thailand is one of the most popular backpacking destinations in the world and with good reason. It is truly an amazing place that has some of the most attractive islands and beaches in the world. Thailand also has great weather all year round; Even in winter the temperature does not go below 20 degrees! Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway, or a trip down memory lane, or an adventurous getaway around long-tail boats, Thailand has it all.
8 Best Museums in Thailand
However, take a look at these 8 interesting museums in Thailand that you must include in your itinerary while vacationing in this tropical paradise.
1. Jim Thompson House Museum
A New York architect who lived in Thailand and served as a soldier in World War II, he was instrumental in establishing the silk industry in Thailand. Jim Thompson’s beautiful traditional Thailand home has been renovated and turned into a museum to pay tribute to the man who was awarded the Royal Order of the White Elephant. This Thailand art museum has a priceless and rare collection of Asian art silk. The site is a series of 6 traditional Thai-style wooden houses with curved roofs and beautiful Naga serpentine motifs. The Thompson House has an art center where you can pick up items from year-round exhibitions. Another interesting art museum Bangkok that you can visit is 100 Thompson Gallery which is not far from the Thompson Museum.
Place: 1 Wang Mai, Three Wan, Bangkok, Thailand
Time: Daily: 9 am to 6 pm
entrance fees: up to $3.07 USD
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2. National Museum Bangkok
Who said museums are boring? Thailand National Museum is one of the most interesting museums that is home to the rich art, history and culture of Thailand. Housed within the former Vang Na Palace, this museum boasts rare ethnographic collections of shadow puppets, Khon masks, classical dance costumes and traditional musical instruments of the past. The museum is spread over 6 different buildings and is home to statues and rare sculptures from the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya periods of Thai history. Particularly worth a visit is the Buddha Jawan Chapel where you will find King Ramkhamhaeng’s famous inscription #1 in the Shivamokhpiman Gallery.
Place: 4 Na Phra That Alley, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok
Time: Daily: 9 am to 4 pm
entrance fees: $5.75
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3. Chiang Mai National Museum
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The city of Chiang Mai ruled as the capital of the Lanna Kingdom during 1296. It was the largest city in northern Thailand and flourished until it was invaded by the Burmese in 1557. You will see many ancient relics of this kingdom at the Chiang Mai National Museum, which may be small in size but is rich in its collection of Lanna style artefacts, ceramics, arts and handicrafts. It is one of the best museums in Thailand that gives visitors an insight into the economic and educational development of this erstwhile royal city.
Place: 5, Jalan Perdana, Tasik Perdana, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Thailand
Time: Daily: 9 am to 4 pm
entrance fees: $0.92
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4. Thai-Burma Railway Center Museum
This is one of the best museums in Thailand, located right next to the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery. It displays a unique exhibition about the glorious history of Thailand – the Burma Railway, a 145 km long rail track that ran between Bang Pong and Thanbyuzayat during World War II. It was built by prisoners of war during the invasion of the Imperial Japanese Army. There are many photographs that show the planning and construction of the railway, as well as the living conditions of prisoners in the camps, summaries of deaths, medical aspects, operation of the railway, and the bombing and end of the railway. ,
Place: 73 Jaokannun Road, Bannua, Amphoe Mueang, Kanchanaburi 71000, Thailand,
Time: Daily: 9 am to 5 pm
entrance fees: $3.45 and $1.70 for children 7-12.
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5. Condom Museum
One of Bangkok’s most bizarre attractions, the Condom Museum welcomes many curious tourists throughout the year. The museum was opened by the Ministry of Health as an effort to dispel negative images of condom use among the population. This Bangkok museum is located in a quiet corner of the huge Health Ministry complex. It has several small rooms that demonstrate the history of the condom and its manufacturing process. You will find condoms of all colors, flavors and sizes on display. You will also be taken on a tour of the rooms that house the strength and endurance testing chambers, where museum staff will show you how far a small piece of rubber can stretch!
Place: Ministry of Public Health, Building 9, Department of Medical Sciences, Bangkok,
Time: Mon-Fri: 9 am to 5 pm
entrance fees: Free
6. Siam Museum: National Institute of Discovery Museum
Do this if you’re traveling with kids. Also known as the Discovery Museum, it is a well-designed museum that gives an insight into Thai culture. As you move from room to room, it traces the country’s history chronologically from past to present. Each room of this Museum Siam has several digital exhibits that visitors can interact with. There are also several video exhibitions that explain the history as well as ethnography of Thailand. The videos have English subtitles and the friendly staff leaves no stone unturned to ensure that every visitor has an enriching experience at this – ‘Please Touch Everything’ museum.
Place: 4 Maha Rat Road, Khwaeng Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Khet Phra Nakhon, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10200, Thailand
Time: Will be closed on Monday from 10 am to 6 pm
entrance fees: $3.07 USD
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7. Erawan Museum
This unique three-headed museum is located in Samut Prakan, on the outskirts of Bangkok. It is just a few kilometers away from the famous Bang Na station and hence is quite easy to reach. The Erawan Museum in Bangkok, Thailand houses a massive 3-headed elephant that reaches a height of 43.6 meters and is said to weigh approximately 150 tons! There is much more to the museum than just the giant elephant, which is truly an incredible sight. The Erawan Museum was designed and built as a site that preserves the rich Thai heritage through the visual arts as well as religion. This museum displaying Thai scriptures has a stream of running water around its base. Local people buy lotus and float it in these waters, as it is believed to bring good luck.
Place: 99/9 Bang Mueang Mai, Mueang Samut Prakan District, Samut Prakan 10270, Thailand
Time: Daily: 9 am to 7 pm
price: Starting from $9.44
8. Siriraj Medical Museum
There is no dearth of interesting attractions in Thailand and Siriraj Medical Museum is one of them. The museum serves as an educational site for medical students as well as tourists from all over the world. This unlikely museum has strange exhibits such as bodies of murderers and rapists, preserved fetuses, murder weapons and unusual victims that may enrage the faint of heart!
Place: 2 Thanon Wang Lang, Khwaeng Siriraj, Khet Bangkok Noi, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10700, Thailand
Time: Daily: 10 am to 5 pm
price: $9.45
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From fun museums to delicious food and other amazing attractions, Thailand has all the ingredients for an ideal vacation for young and old. So make sure you don’t miss these interesting museums on your next vacation in Thailand with your loved ones!
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