National Museum Bangkok

The Bangkok National Museum is dedicated to preserving the national cultural heritage through collections of art, archaeological and cultural objects in the Palace of Wang Na compound near the Grand Palace. The Gallery of Thai History is located in the Sivamokhaphiman Hall, with the Prehistory Galley at the rear of the building. The History of Art collection is displayed in the South and North Wings and the Minor arts, Royal Cremation Chariots and Ceremonial Objects are exhibited nearby in other buildings within the palace compound.

The visit starts with a useful introduction to Thai history. Note the black- stone inscription form Sukhothai, the oldest- known record of the Thai alphabet. Two large modern buildings house the main collection of pre- Thailand Thai sculpture, as well as pieces from elsewhere in Asia. An important exhibit in the southern wing is one of the earliest images of the Buddha from Gandhara in India, clearly influenced by classical Greek sculpture. A garage in a nearby building houses the collection of magnificent royal funeral chariots. Vajayant Rajarot is still used even though it needs 300 men to pull it.

Free English- language tours of the museum are given by National Museum volunteers on Wednesdays (Buddhism) and Thursdays (Thai arts, religion and culture), starting from 9:30am. These guided tours are excellent and many people have written to recommend them.The tours are also conducted in German Thursdays, French and Japanese Wednesday.

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Contact Information

National Museum Bangkok
Na Phra That Road
10200 Bangkok

Tel. +6622241370

http://www.thailandmuseum.com