Bangkok National Museum

The history of the National Museum Bangkok dates back to 1874 when His Majesty, King Rama V opened the first public “museum” to exhibit the royal collection of King Rama IV, and other objects of general interest, at the Concordia Pavilion inside the Brand Palace. Later, the Museum was transferred to its present site, the “Wang Na”, or “Palace to the Front” which had been the palace of the Prince Successor.  In 1926, it was named the “Bangkok Museum” and subsequently developed into the National Museum Bangkok, when it came under the direction of the Department of Fine Arts in 1934.

His Majesty the King Presided over the opening ceremony of the South Wing Buiding (The Mahasurasinghanat Building) and the North Wing Building (The Praphatphiphitaphan Building) on 25 May,1967

THE EXHIBITION GALLERIES IN THE NATIONAL MUSEUM BANGKOK

The National Museum Bangkok currently houses three permanent exhibition galleries : -

1. The Thai History Gallery located in the front of the Siwamokhaphiman Hall, a ceremonial building.

2. The Archaeological and Art History Collections which are divided in two parts:
(i) The Prehistory Gallery, located in the back of the Siwanmokhaphiman Hall, and Gallery No. S6 on the upper floor of the South Wing Building.
(ii) The Art History Gallery, located in the North Wing Building, which displays sculptures and exhibits from the Dvaravati, Srivijaya and Lopburi periods, (before 1257 AD) up to the Bangkok period (1782)

3. The Decorative Arts and Ethnological Collection which is displayed in the old central palace buildings. This collection contains a variety of artistic, cultural and ethnographic exhibits such as gold treasures and precious stones, mother of pearl inlay, royal emblems and insignia, costumes and textiles, ceramics, carved ivory, old royal transportation, old weapons and musical instruments.

Other exhibits of interest in the Museum grounds include:

The Royal Funeral Chairots built for Royal cremation ceremonies,

The Buddhaisawan Chapel, housing the Phra Buddhasihing, an important
sacred Buddha image. The paintings inside this chapel are the oldest murals in Bangkok.

Issares Rajanusorn, a restored private residence of King Pinklao, King Rama
IV’s brother.

The Red House, originally one of the private living quarters of Queen Sri
Suriyen, wife of King Rama II.

In addition, there are several minor pavilions which were once used for ceremonial occasions. Each one is an example of Thai architenture of the Bangkok period and include the Sala Longsong Pavilion, the Samranmukhamat Pavilion, the Mangkhalaphisek Pavilion and the Patihantasanai Pavilion.

The National Museum Bangkok Address
Na Phrthat Rdm Phra Borommaharachawang Sub-district,
Phra Nakorn District, Bangkok 10200
Located between Thammasat University and The National Theatre,opposit Grand Park (Sanamluang)

Telephone
Museum Education Section Tel.662-224-1333 Fax. 662-224-1404
Curatorail Staff Section Tel 662-224-1402

How to go
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.