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A visit to the National Museum reveals the
history of Thailand And how people lived during the different periods.
It gives you a view through the windows of the past.
The National Museum, located on the opposite
side of Sanam Luang to The Grand Palace, was established in 1887 by
King Rama V. The foundation collection was previously stored at The
Grand Palace. The original building was formerly the palace of a
vice-ruler.
King Rama VII placed it under the administration
of the Royal Institute of Literature, Archeology and Fine Arts which
has evolved to be the Fine Arts Department.
New buildings were constructed in 1967 and other historical buildings relocated to the museum grounds.
The Buddhaisawan Chapel was built in 1787 to
enshrine a revered northern Buddha image called Phra Buddha Si Hing.
The interior has exceptional murals, while the building itself is a
fine example of Rattanakosin religious architecture.
Tamnak Daeng is another building that has been
moved to the Museum. This Red House was originally the residence of an
elder sister of King Rama I. Furniture and other items from early
Bangkok times.
The National Museum collection encompasses a
wide range of religious and secular art found throughout the country.
Items from pre-historic times, through the Srivijaya, Dvaravati, Khmer
Kingdoms and the Sukhothai, Ayutthaya and Rattanakosin periods of Thai
history.
These include Neolithic tools, painted pots and
bronze objects unearthed in the northeast. Thai Buddhist art exhibits
feature images in stone, bronze and terracotta as well as illustrated
scripture books manuscript cabinets and votive plaques.
The Museum also has a large collection of
miscellaneous items such as Thai and Chinese ceramics, theatrical
costumes, palanquins, weapons and assorted items used in royal
households.
THINGS TO KNOW:
Address: The National Museum Bangkok Na Phrthat Rd., Phra Borommaharachawang Sub-district, Phra Nakorn District, Bangkok 10200 (next to Thammasat University, facing Sanam Luang)
Tel: 0 2224 1333, 0 2224 1370
Fax: 0 2224 8173
Website: www.thailandmuseum.com
To get there:
The most enjoyable route is to take the BTS
Skytrain to Taksin Station. From here take a Chao Phraya River Express
boat to Tha Phrachan Pier. Walk straight from the pier to Sanam Luang
Park and turn left past Thammasat University to the museum
By Bus No.
3, 6, 9, 15, 19, 30, 32, 33, 43, 53, 59, 64, 65, 70, 80, 84
Air
Condition Bus No. 3, 6, 7, 38, 39, 80, 82, 91
Airport Bus No. A2
Open: 9am – 4pm; Wednesday – Sunday
Admission: 40 baht
Other: Guided tours are given free by volunteers in
English and French starting at 9.30 a.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Tours are also given in German on Thursdays and in Japanese on
Wednesdays of the first & the third week of each month. Guided
tours in some other languages can be arranged.
Photography is not allowed inside the building
Nearby Attractions: Grand Palace (Wat Phra Kaew), Phra Athit Road, Khaosan Road
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not to bad,huh?
chandan 
