Bangkok Museums

(Bangkok, Thailand)

Museums in Bangkok vary greatly and many visitors will find plenty to keep them occupied for many hours. The National Museum has become a major attraction in its own right and is Thailand's oldest museum, dating back to the late 19th century, and also the biggest museum in the whole of south-eastern Asia.

Within the suburbs of Bangkok, the open-air Ancient City covers a vast space, while for others, the magnificent boats at the Royal Barges National Museum are quite unmissable. For something a little different and more unusual, the Royal Elephant Museum can be found within the Dusit Palace grounds and remembers the lives of the king's three albino 'white' elephants.

National Museum

Address: Na Phrathat Road, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok, 10200, Thailand, TH
Tel: +66 02 224 1404
Lying on the western side of the Sanam Luang area, visitors to the National Museum will find a mixture of exhibits, including information about Thai art, various paintings and sculptures, literature, musical instruments, ceramics, clothing, textiles, weaponry, wood carvings and much more besides. Multi-language tours of the museum are available.
Open hours: Wednesday to Sunday - 09:00 to 16:00, seasonal variations
Admission: charge

Ancient City

Address: Ratchadamnoen Avenue, 78 / 1 Democracy Monument Cycle, Samut Prakan, 10200, Thailand, TH
Tel: +66 02 224 1057
Located just outside of Bangkok and enjoying a parkland setting within nearby Samut Prakan, the Ancient City attraction contains many period buildings, historic temples and other significant structures. Covering almost 300 acres / 120 hectares, the Ancient City is famous for being the largest outdoor museum of its kind on the planet.
Open hours: daily - 08:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge

Royal Barges National Museum

Address: 80 / 1 Rim Klong Bangkok Noi, Arun Amarin Road, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand, TH
Tel: +66 02 424 0004
The Royal Barges National Museum is one of the city's most popular and unusual museums, being home to an impressive collection of long boats often used for grand ceremonial processions along the river. The largest of the beautiful royal barges is around 50 metres / 164 feet in length and requires a crew of no less than 50 rowers, together with umbrella bearers, helmsmen and navigators. Housed within big boating sheds, the museum can be found next to the Khlong Bangkok Noi, the Phra Pin Klao Bridge and also the river itself.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge

Bangkok Folk Museum

Address: 273 Charoenkrung 43 Lane, Charoenkrung Road, Bangkok, 10500, Thailand, TH
Tel: +66 02 233 7027
This unusual traditional house stands within the very centre of Bangkok and is know home to a host of antiquities and other items of historical interest, including household utensils. Guided tours allow you to make the most of your visit.
Open hours: Saturday and Sunday - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Royal Thai Air Force Museum

Address: Paholyothin Road, Bangkok, Thailand, TH
Tel: +66 02 534 1853
Aviation buffs will be thrilled to discover the many superb vintage planes housed within the hangers at the Royal Thai Air Force Museum. Highlights include an original Spitfire plane, together with many additional planes, engines, aviation memorabilia, simulators and uniforms.
Open hours: daily - 08:00 to 16:00
Admission: free


Further museums of interest are shown below, all of which are within the city and outlying region.

Bangkok Doll Factory and Museum

Address: 85 Soi Ratchataphan / Soi Mo Leng, Bangkok, Thailand, TH
Tel: +66 02 245 3008

Thai Labor Museum

Address: 503 / 20 Nikommakkasan Road, Ratchatewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand, TH
Tel: +66 02 251 3173

Jim Thompson's House / Museum

Address: Rama I Road, 6 Soi Kasemsan 2, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand, TH
Tel: +66 02 216 7368

Kamthieng House / Ethnological Museum

Address: 131 Sukhumvit 21, Bangkok, 10110, Thailand, TH
Tel: +66 02 661 6470

Museum of Imagery Technology

Address: Phayathai Road, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand, TH
Tel: +66 02 218 5583

National Science Museum

Address: Technopolis, Klong 5, Klong Luang, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand, TH
Tel: +66 02 577 9999

Philatelic Museum

Address: Saphan Khwai, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand, TH
Tel: +66 02 271 2439

Prasart Museum

Address: 9 Krung Thep Kritha Road, Soi 4, Bangkapi, Bangkok, 10240, Thailand, TH
Tel: +66 02 379 3601

Science Museum and Planetarium

Address: 928 Sukumvit Road, Phra Khanong, Bangkok, 10110, Thailand, TH
Tel: +66 02 392 5952

Thai Human Imagery Museum

Address: 43 / 2 Moo, 1 Boromratchanchonni Road, Kunkaew, Nakhonpathom, Nakhon Pathom, 73120, Thailand, TH
Tel: +66 34 33 2607

Thai Rare Stone / Ashtray Museum

Address: 1048 / 1054 New Road, Bangkok, 10500, Thailand, TH
Tel: +66 02 236 5666

Vimanmek Museum

Address: 16 Rajavithi Road, Dusit, Bangkok, 10300, Thailand, TH
Tel: +66 02 628 6300