Bangkok Museum National

National Museum

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

Within the walking distance of the Grand Palace is one of the largest and most comprehensive museums in Southeast Asia. Bangkok's National Museum houses a vast collection of artifacts found in all parts of the country ranging from Neolithic times, Sukhothai, Ayutthaya to the Bangkok period. The complex, once used as a palace, consists of several old but beautiful buildings of colourful Thai architectural design.
Guided tours in English, French, German, and Japanese are provided to visitors on certain days of the week.
It is open everyday, except Mondays, Tuesdays, and annual holidays, from 9.00 a.m.- 4.00 p.m. Admission fee is 40 Baht per person.

Royal Barge National Museum

On April 1932 King Rama VII crossed the lower span of the Memorial Bridge and embarked on the barge Suphanahong to travel by barge procession to the Grand Palace to mark the 150th Anniversary Celebration of the Chakri Dynasty and Bangkok as the capital city. That was the last Royal Barge Procession of an absolute Monarch of Siam, for the following June a coup d'etat changed the government from an absolute to a constitutional monarchy. The barges were then kept at the dry dock on the Bangkok Noi Canal under the care of Royal Household and Royal Navy.
The barge sustained severe damage during bombing of Bangkok in World War ll, soon after his return from school in Europe, the present king, H.M.King Bhumibol Adylvadej went to see the barges in their dock. Noting their deterotiatiom, His Majesty ordered their restoration; and decided to revive the ancient tradition of the Royal Barge Procession for auspicious occasions. Artists under the direction of the Fine Arts Department spent more than a year repairing the damage. In 1972 this dock was then renovated and established by the Fine Arts Department as the National Museum of Royal Barges.

Vimamnek Mansion Museum

Located in the compound of the Dusit Palace on Ratchawithi Road, this is the world's largest golden teak building. The 3-storey royal mansion contains 81 rooms, halls and ante-chambers containing fin de siecle royal memorabilia. A guided tour is provided to visitors.
Other buildings in the same compound also display various items and art objects; for example, RM. King Bhumibol's photography, H.M. Queen Sirikit's collection of handicraft masterpieces created by rural people, paraphernalia of rank and portraits, old clocks, ancient cloth, and royal carriages.
The compound is open daily from 9.00 a.m.-4.00 p.m. Admission fee is 50 Baht.
Thai dancing shows are performed at 10.30 a.m. and 2.00 p.m. Proper attire is required.

Bangkok Doll Museum

Located on Soi Ratchataphan, off Ratchaprarop Road, this exhibits Thai dolls made by a local factory. The museum is open daily, except Sundays, from 8.00 a.m. until 5.00 p.m.
This factory/museum, founded by Khunying Thongkorn Chanthavimon in 1956, displays a huge collection of dolls. Trained at the Osawa Doll School in Tokyo, Tongkorn started by imitating Japanese dolls then with the help of many well-known local artists started adapting a Thai style to her creations. The broad choices of exhibits over the years have managed to appeal to the aesthetic senses in children and adults alike. Dolls on display reflect eight types of categories: khons and khon masks, village life, hilltribe people, dolls for chldren, puppets, dolls from other countries and dolls made to order. Admission: Free.

Prasart Museum

It is located at 9 Krungthep Kritha Road Soi 4, Bang Kapi. The museum houses a vast collection of artifacts from pre-historic through Rattanakosin periods. Various styles of architecture, for example, a baroque building, a smaller version of the Red Palace in Bangkok National Museum, and an imitation of Ho Phra of Wat Yai Suwannaram, are scattered within the museum complex. Prasart Museum is open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during 10.00 am-3.00 pm. Admission fee is Baht 300 each (snack and beverage included) It is also open on weekdays for group visitors.

Jim Thomson's Thai House

The Jim Thompson House is the home of James H.W. Thompson, a self-made American entrepreneur who was the founder of the world renowned Jim Thompson Thai Silk Company. Thompson's achievements during his 25 year stay in the Kingdom of Thailand have won him much fame as the "Legendary American of Thailand". For his contribution to the development of the Thai Silk industry, Jim Thompson was awarded the Order of the White Elephant, a decoration bestowed upon foreigners for having rendered exceptional service to Thailand. Thompson's success story in Thailand has become one of the most popular postwar legends of Asia.

In 1967, Jim Thompson went on holiday with friends to the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia. There he set out for a walk in the surrounding jungle but never returned. Thus began the Jim Thompson legend.

Since his disappearance in 1967, little has changed in the home that was the 'talk of the town' and the 'city's most celebrated social center'. Even today, the charming Thai style house continues to be a key stop for visitors to Bangkok. The house consists of a complex of six traditional Thai-style houses, teak structures that were purchased from several owners and brought to the present location from various parts of Thailand. Construction of the Thai house was completed in 1959.