Whether you’re looking to delve into Thailand’s past, check out some natural wonders, or even ponder the beauty of stamps, Bangkok’s museums have something to offer everyone. Some of the museums are notable for the beauty of the buildings as well as their contents, while others showcase a comprehensive collection of prized national artifacts. Find out more about Thai culture and history at this selection of Bangkok’s most interesting locations.
Bangkok Seashell Museum
Ever felt like visiting a shell museum on vacation? If not, you’re missing out. The Bangkok Shell Museum may seem a little geeky but you will see some amazing exhibits in this museum, all of which are arranged in an interesting and impactful way. You’ll learn more about shells in this museum than you did in your entire life. Check it out – open every day and located on the Silom Road.
Bangkokian Museum
This gorgeous old teak house has been transported from the countryside and rebuilt in the center of Bangkok. Inside are original decorations and interiors, including furniture and artifacts from the period. You can arrange a guided tour of this museum, and it is a great little place to wander around. Open on the weekends and located at 273 Charoenkrung Soi 43.
Bangkok National Museum
The Bangkok National Museum is located in the grounds of the Wang Na Palace and it holds an extensive collection of Thai artifacts and Thai arts and crafts. The National Museum is a great place to start if you know nothing of the history of Thailand, and there are many English-language descriptions attached to the exhibits. You can tie in a visit to this museum with a visit to the nearby popular Grand palace complex. The museum is open Wednesday to Sunday.
Batcat Toy Museum
This new museum houses the largest collection of toys in Thailand. On the outskirts of Bangkok, in Bangkapi, the toy museum boasts an excellent selection of all kinds of toys from TV characters to magazines, costumes to games. Any collectors will love to browse these items and they are sure to interest the children, too.
Bank of Thailand Museum
Think you won’t want to visit a museum dedicated to money and banking? Think again because the bank of Thailand Museum is worth a trip, taking you through the history of money in Thailand. Set in Bangkhunphrom Palace, the museum is open Monday to Friday from 9.30 am to 4 pm.
House of Museums
This quirky and individual museum is difficult to find given its remote location in-between Nakhon Pathom and Bangkok, but it is worth the effort to see the number of objects on display. Everything is taken straight from the everyday lives of people in the sixties, and the converted shop house is a nice location to check out. Open at the weekends.
Corrections Museum
On the other end of the scale, the Corrections Museum is dedicated to crime and punishment and is not suitable for kids. This grisly, macabre museum is on the site of the former Remand Prison and contains grim scenes and reenactments of punishments and executions. The museum also gives an insight into the (not very pleasant) lives of prisoners in the past.
Forensic Museum
If you’re into the gruesome side of life (and death), you’ll also want to visit the Forensic Museum. Another grisly exhibition of murderers, death, and crime – the Forensic Museum is not for the faint-hearted and you won’t want to come here with the kids. Open Monday to Saturday. Read more about Forensic Museum.
Human Body Museum
Want to know more about the human body? This museum in Siam Square is a collection of 14 dissected bodies is an educational exhibit and will also appeal to the morbid curiosity of travelers. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday and is located inside the Dentistry Faculty Building of Chulalongkorn University.
Jim Thompson House
Visit this lovely complex of traditional teakwood houses, which was the prior residence of Jim Thompson, the western man who fell in love with Asia and began a decades-long love affair with the culture and art of Thailand and beyond. The house is best viewed on a guided tour and the gardens are beautiful and peaceful. Located at Soi Kasemsan 2, across from the National Stadium.
Kamthieng House
Another beautiful teak house was taken from Chiang Mai and transported to Bangkok, this museum is the headquarters of the Siam Society and contains a fine collection of domestic and agricultural items, plus a library and landscaped gardens. Open Tuesday to Saturday.
Jesada Technik Museum
Check out the large collection of vintage cars at the Jesada Car Museum. This museum is located in the small town of Nakorn Pathom around 50km from Bangkok and it is worth a visit to see the vehicles which are perfectly preserved and interesting.
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