National Museum Bangkok

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National Museum Bangkok

National Museum, the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia, contains and 18th century palace and a group of well-designed buildings, housing Thailand's artistic treasures from prehistoric to contemporary. The museum is open daily except Mondays, Tuesdays and national holidays from 9.00 am - 4.00 pm. Tours are conducted by volunteers in English (Tue, Wed, Thu), French (Wed), German (Thu) and Japanese (Tue). Admission is 40 baht. For information tel : 224-1333.

View of Bawon Satanmongkhon Palace (The Frontal Palace) premises where the National Museum of Bangkok,
The National Theatre and Thammasart University are situated nowadays

INTRODUCTION

Historical background of the National Museum Bangkok goes back to the year of 1874 when His Majesty King Rama V has opened the first public "museum" to exhibit the previous royal collection of King Rama IV and other objects in general topics at the Concordia Pavilion inside the Grand Palace. Later, the Museum was transferred to "Wang Na", an once palace to the front or the palace of the Prince Successor. In 1926, it became the 'Bangkok Museum' and then developed to be the National Museum Bangkok when it has been organized under the Department of Fine Arts since 1933.

The first public museum was established by King Rama V at the Concordia Building inside the Grand Palace compound

COLLECTIOM :

The collections of the National Museum Bangkok are national cultural heritage with the emphasis on art, archaeological and cultural objects which are dated from as early as prehistory up to present day. Three main galleries are :

- The Gallery of Thai History located at Sivamokhaphiman Hall with the prehistory gallery at the rear part of the building. History of Art and Archaeological collections are presented in two building : Dvaravati, Srivijaya and Lopburi in south wing; and Lanna, Sukhothai, Ayutthaya and Rattanakosin are in the north wing.

- For the galleries in the old palace buildings, variety of minor arts and ethnological collections are exhibited such as gold treasure, enamel wares, mother of pearl inlay, musical instruments, wood carving, entertainment articles, textiles, ceramics, royal regalia, palanquins, old weapons, and stone inscriptions, etc. Royal cremation ceremonial exhibits and chariots are housed in the funeral chariot hall.

The Red House

Patihantasanai Pavilion and Mangkhalaphisak Pavilion

Mangkhalaphisak Pavilion at the front of the National Museum Bangkok

The National Museum Bangkok also has a monumental value in itself as a Palace to the Front. Many buildings are displayed in original purpose such as Bhuddhaisawan Chapel where the Buddhasihing was enshrined. European and Chinese funitures are shown in Issaretrachanusorn, or King Pin Klao resident. Tamnak Dang or the red house, The Samranmukhamat Pavilion, and other pavilions are examples of Thai architecture.

GALLERIES
1. Gallery of Thai History
2. Gallery of Prehistory
3. Buddhaisawan Chapel
4. Temporary Exhibition Hall
5. Gold Treasures
6. Palanquins
7. Theatre Arts and Games
8. Ceramics

8.1 Ivory
9. Mother of Pearl Inlay
10. Weapons
11. Gold Treasures
12. Stone Inscriptions
13. Wood Carving
14. Textiles

14.1 Buddhist Utensils
15. Musical Instruments
16. Issaretracha Nusorn Hall (Upstair)
17. Funeral Chariot Hall
18. Mangkhalaphisak Pavilion
19. Patihantasanai Pavilion
20. Samranmukhamat Pavilion
21. Sal Longsong Pavilion
22. The Red House

National Museum Bangkok

Na Phra That Road, BKK 10200

Tel. 2241404, 2241333, 244-1396

Fax: 2241404, 2249911

Bus No. 3, 15, 30, 31, 32, 33, 39, 53, 59, 64, 70, 81, 203

Air-conditioned Bus No. 6, 39,7

The Museum is open every day from 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. except Mondays, Tuesdays and National Holidays. Admission fee is 20 baht. Guide tours are provided in the mornings as follows. They commence at 9.30 a.m. from the ticket dest

: Buddhism Thai Art, Religion and Culture : Pre-Thai and Art : Thai Art and Culture : Thai Culture and Pottery Buddhaisawan Chapel Pre-Thai and Thai Art
In English every Wednesday every Thursday In French every Wednesday In German every Thursday In Japan 1st, 2nd Wednesday of the month 3rd Wednesday of the month 4th, 5th Wednesday of the month

Information

: Tourism Authority of Thailand, 4 Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue, Bangkok 10100, THAILAND.

Tel. : (66 2) 281-0422 (20 Lines), E-mail : tat@cs.ait.ac.th
: Tourist Service Center (TAT and Tourist Police), Tel. 1155