On Na Phra That Road, on the West side. of Sanam Luang, the National Museum is the largest museum in Southeast Asia and an excellent place to learn ething about Thai art. The Museum, founded 1874 by
King Rama V, is housed in the Palace of Wang Na, originally home to the Second King and part of the Grand Palace. The visit starts With a useful introduction to Thai history. Note the black-stone inscription from 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. Vejayant Rajarot is 'still used even though it needs 300 men to pull it. Palace of Wang Na : Built in the 1780's as a home for the king's successor, the palace houses a magnificent collection of Thai art objects. The lovely Red House belongs to Princess Si Sudarak and retains her period furnishings.
Buddhai Sawan Chapel : Phra Bhudda Sihing in this chapel is said to have been divinely created in Sri Lanka and sent to Sukhothai in the 13th century. Despite doubts about its origins it actually dates from the 15th century. It is still worshipped by many and is carried in procession at the Thai New Year. The fine murals around it tell the stories of the Buddha's lives.
Free English-language tours of the museum arc given by National Museum volunteers on Wednesdays (Buddhism) and Thursdays (Thai art, religion and culture), starting from 09:30. Thest gaided tours are excellent and Manny people have written to recommend them. The tours are also conducted in German
(Thursdays), French ( Wednesdays ) and Japanese ( Wednesdays ). For more information : contact the volunteers (Telephone 215-8173). The Museum is Open from 09:00 to 16:00 wednesday to Sunday admission is 20 Bath.
Royal Barge Museum
The Royal Barges are fantastically ornamented boats used in ceremonial processions on the river. The largest is fifty metres long and requires a rowing crew of fifty, plus seven umbrella bearers, two helmsmen, two navigators, a flagman, a rhythm-keeper and chanter. The barges are kept in sheds on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River. They are on . Khlong Bangkok Noi, near the Phra Pinklao Bridge. Suphannahong, the king's personal barge, is the most importan t of the boats. One of the best time to see the fleet in action on the river is during the royal Kathin ceremony at the end of Phansa, the Buddhist rains retreat ending with an October to November new moon, when new robes are offered to the monastic contingent.
The barge shed is open daily from 08:30 to 16:30 and admission i5 10 baht. To get there, take a Berry to Tha Rot Fai, then walk down the streel parallel to the railway tracks until you come to a bridge over the khlong (canal). Follow the bridge to a wooden walkway that leads to the barge sheds. You can also get there by taking a khlong taxi for 5 baht, up the canal and getting oil near the bridge.
Museum of the Royal Support Project f at Aphisek Dusit Palace
Situated at the back of Anandhasmakhom Palace within the same compound of Wiman Mek Palace, the Palace Itself was graciously established by King. Rama V of Siam in 1904. His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej has graciously granted Royal permission to restore and reconstruct the Aphisek Dusit Palace into a museum which displays exquisite arts and crafts generated by members of the RoyalSupport Project under the. Royal patronage of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The most outstanding decorations of the Palace is the finely carved teakwood similar to t of the Victorian - style wood carving in England. Inside t muse.u.m a wide variety of exquisite handincrafts are displayed, e.g. silverware, go and silve inlaid vessels handwoven textiles, embroidered materials gold and silver nielloware and fine artworks made of the sparkling green wings of Buprestid beatle, etc.
The museum opens daily between 10:00 and 16:00, except for official holidays. The admission fee is ayded in the fee for entering the Wiman Mek Palace. For more information please telephone 281-8803, or 281-8824.
National Gallery
Graciously inaugurated on August 8, 1977 by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the National gallery is located at the foot of Phra Pin Klao Bridge, on the opposite side of the National Theatre. The National Gallery compiles and displays both classical and temporary arts of renowned Thai artists for those who are interested in art appreciation or study. His Majesty the King's oil paintings are also.
exhibited to be appreciated by the public. The gallery opens daily except Mondays, Tuesday and official holidays from 09:0 to 16:00 hours. Admission fee: for Thais and foreigners are
5 baht and IO baht respectivelj School children or students in uniform do not have to pay bu group study tours need to be notified in writing. For more information please contact Tel.281-2639
Museum of Pottery
The museum building is a private house by the river which features a fine collection of ancient potteries including theexquisite Benjarong or fivecolored porcelains. It is
situated at the back of Fine ArtsCollege, next door to Thammasat University. Interested persons may visit the premises in group tours by prior arrangement with Swait-Sopha Foundation which is located at House 5, Phra Athii Road (Telephone 224-1373, 224-1388) during official houi Admission fees for Thais and foreigners are 20 baht and 50 baht respectively.
Museum of Sciences and Planetarium
Situated at Ekkamai area of Sukhurnvit Road, the museum is the centre for demonstrating and disseminating . knowledge in sciences and astrology. Among special events organised are periodic exhibitions, movies, lectures and discussions in subject matters related to sciences and astrology.
The museum is open during weekdays from 09:00 to 16:00 hours. Admission fees for adults and children are 10 baht and three baht respectively. Within the same compound there is a planetarium for solar system studies which opens for the public from Tuesdavs to Sundays between 08:00 and 14:30 hours, except Mondays and official holidays. Admission fees for adults and children are 10 baht and three baht respectively. For more details please telephone 392-5952 or 390-2301.
Museum of Photography
This was the first museum of camera and photographs ever established in Asia. Situated at the Department of photographic Science and Printing Technology of the Faculty of Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, this museum features a collection of old photographs and related legends including camera and photographic apparatus which were used in the olden days. In addition there are displays on the progress in three-dimension photography, electronic drawings and chronological development of printing and colour separation technologies.
The museum opens for the public every Saturday between 10:00 and 16:00 hours. Admission fees for adults, students and foreign tourists are 20 baht, 10 baht and 100 baht respectively. Group tours may be conducted on Thursdays with prior arrangement. For more information please telephone 251-1913.
House of Bangkok Dolls and International Doll Museum
Located within Soi Ratchataphan (Soi Mor Leng) of Ratcha Prarop Road, Makasan area of Ratchathewi District, the House of Bangkok Dolls displays a large collection of dolls from various countries of the world including Bangkok dolls of different types like dolls dressed in classical theatrical outfits representing character from the Ramayana; tribal people in various parts of the country; people of different professions;cuddly dolls for children, etc. House of Bangkok Dolls opens for the public daily from 08:00 to 17:00 hours, except on Sundays and official holidays. No admission fee is required. For more information please telephone 245-3008 or 245-2512
National Library
The National Library was originally established In the compound of the Royal Palace under the name of "Ho Samut Vajirayarn". It was move to a four-storied building constructed at Tha Wasukri in 1963. Its services became more extensive, covering: "Ho Phra Samut Vajirayarn" a place for keeping stone imscription and Buddhist inscription cases; music library ,
of the late H.R.H. Prince Paribatra Sukhumbandhu; Narathip Centre where ancient inscriptions
are kept for social research; Soonthraporn Audio Visual Centre including facilities for showing documentary films, technical meetings, seminars and exhibitions, which are organised on a regular basis. National Library opens for the public daily from 08:00 to 16:30 hours except during official holidays.
Damrong Rachanupharb Library
Locate: in the compound of WangVora( on Lan Lua road, the library was erected in honour of Somdet Phra Chao Barommaw Ther Krom Phraya Damrong
Rachanupharb. It is a reference library for researd into interesting events both in the older and moder days. It is open for the public during weekdays fron 08:30 to 16:30 hours.
Bank of Thailand Museum
Bank of Thailand Museum was established at the Bangkhunphrom Royal Palace within the compound of the Bank of Thailand. It was set up under thejoint auspices of the Department of Fine Arts, the treasury Department, National Museum and Thai Coin Association of Thailand. The museum features a large collection of coins used as a medi um of exchange since the prehistoric age and is divided into sections: e.g. room for ancient coins, Pot Duang coins, Thai coins, Thai banknotes, Thongtra room, 50th Bank of Thailand Anniversary room, and so forth.
The museum opens for group tours free -of-charge with prior arrangement during weekdays from 10:00 to midday and from 14:00 to 16:00 hours, except weekends and Bank holidays. For more information please telephone 283-5265 or 283-5284.
Stone and Mineral Museum
Located next door to the Priest's Hospital on Rama VI road opposite to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Stone and Mineral Museum was established in 1948
and is under the responsibility of the Department of Mineral Resources, Ministry of Industry. The museum displays a large collection of objects like minerals,
stones, fossils including ancient mineral or stone.weapons. Its exhibitions are divided into two major parts.
The first part, Geology, features the chronological development of the earth, the changes in its surface, stone minerals, and fossils. The other part presents different types of mineral resources. The museum opens for the public free-of-charge during weekdays from 09:00 to 16:00 hours. For more informatIOn, please telephone 245-6397.
Prasart Museum
Situated at No.9, Soi Krungthep Kritha 4, Thanon Phatthanakan Mai, Phra Khanong, the museum has a large collection of antiques from the prehistoric to the Rattanakosin Era. Within its compound there are buildings of different architectural designs like the so-called Tuk Farang Tam -Nak Daeng which is the replica of Tam-Nak Daeng (Red Abode) within the National Museum, Ho Phra (chapel where a Buddha image is enshrined) transcribed from Wat Yai Suwannaram, etc.
It is open for the public from Friday to Sunday between 10:00 and 15:00 hours. The admission fee, including snacks and refreshments, is 300 baht per person. During weekdays group tours may be made by prior arrangement. Please telephone 379-3601,379-3609, or 253-9772.
National Cultural Centre
Situated on a large land area of 23 Rais on Ratchadaphisck Road, Huai Khwang District of Bangkok, the National Cultural Centre is the local point for cultural exchange both at the national and international levels. Its main objective is to enhance the awareness of the Thai people of the value of Thai culture to the extent that they will guard it with ardent care and preserve it as part of their eminent national iden tity. Inside the centre there is a large assembly hall, small meeting hall, open air theatre,library, language laboratory,. and audiovisual laboratory. For more mformation please telephone 247-0028 or 247-3201.
National Theatre
Situated on the right side of the National Museum, the National Theatre is directly under the administration of the Department of Fine Arts with.the mission to organise theatrical performances particularly the Sisuk Nattakam programme which is staged on the last Friday and Saturday of each consecutive month. For more information please telephone
224-1342 or 221-H 191 during office hours.
Sangkhit Sin
Centre
Located within the Phan Fa Bridge, branch of the Bangkok Bank, the Sangkhit Sin Centre is a cultural centre where Thai classical music or
technical discussions on the issue music are organised for
the public every Friday free-of-charge. For more information about the performances and timetable please call 282-2396.
Bangkok Theatre
Located on Petchaburi Road (near Ekkamai Intersection) near Charn Issara II building, ang 0 Intersect.1O h re modern dramas are staged every Theatre IS we.
weekend from Friday to Sunday. For more information about current programmes and timetable please contact 319-7641-5, or facsimile 319-7644.
Chaloemkrung Royal Theatre
Located on Charoenkrung road of Phra Nakhon District, the theatre used to be Chaloemkrung movie house 111 the old days. The place was renovated to be a modern theatre, well equipped with special effects and techniques like laser and
multivision systems. There is a wide variety of performances being offered like Khon (drama enacting scenes from Ramayana); plays, period dramas and movies. For more information about current programmes please contact 222-0434, 225-8757-8, 222-1352 or 222-1753.
The barge shed is open daily from 08:30 to 16:30 and admission i5 10 baht. To get there, take a Berry to Tha Rot Fai, then walk down the streel parallel to the railway tracks until you come to a bridge over the khlong (canal). Follow the bridge to a wooden walkway that leads to the barge sheds. You can also get there by taking a khlong taxi for 5 baht, up the canal and getting oil near the bridge.
Situated at the back of Anandhasmakhom Palace within the same compound of Wiman Mek Palace, the Palace Itself was graciously established by King. Rama V of Siam in 1904. His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej has graciously granted Royal permission to restore and reconstruct the Aphisek Dusit Palace into a museum which displays exquisite arts and crafts generated by members of the RoyalSupport Project under the. Royal patronage of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The most outstanding decorations of the Palace is the finely carved teakwood similar to t of the Victorian - style wood carving in England. Inside t muse.u.m a wide variety of exquisite handincrafts are displayed, e.g. silverware, go and silve inlaid vessels handwoven textiles, embroidered materials gold and silver nielloware and fine artworks made of the sparkling green wings of Buprestid beatle, etc.
exhibited to be appreciated by the public. The gallery opens daily except Mondays, Tuesday and official holidays from 09:0 to 16:00 hours. Admission fee: for Thais and foreigners are 
Situated at Ekkamai area of Sukhurnvit Road, the museum is the centre for demonstrating and disseminating . knowledge in sciences and astrology. Among special events organised are periodic exhibitions, movies, lectures and discussions in subject matters related to sciences and astrology. 
Located within Soi Ratchataphan (Soi Mor Leng) of Ratcha Prarop Road, Makasan area of Ratchathewi District, the House of Bangkok Dolls displays a large collection of dolls from various countries of the world including Bangkok dolls of different types like dolls dressed in classical theatrical outfits representing character from the 
The National Library was originally established In the compound of the Royal Palace under the name of "Ho Samut Vajirayarn". It was move to a four-storied building constructed at Tha Wasukri in 1963. Its services became more extensive, covering: "Ho Phra Samut Vajirayarn" a place for keeping stone imscription and Buddhist inscription cases; music library , 
Locate: in the compound of WangVora( on Lan Lua road, the library was erected in honour of Somdet Phra Chao Barommaw Ther Krom Phraya Damrong
Located next door to the Priest's Hospital on Rama VI road opposite to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Stone and Mineral Museum was established in 1948
Situated at No.9, Soi Krungthep Kritha 4, Thanon Phatthanakan Mai, Phra Khanong, the museum has a large collection of antiques from the prehistoric to the Rattanakosin Era. Within its compound there are buildings of different architectural designs like the so-called Tuk Farang Tam -Nak Daeng which is the replica of Tam-Nak Daeng (Red Abode) within the National Museum, Ho Phra (chapel where a Buddha image is enshrined) transcribed from Wat Yai Suwannaram, etc.
Situated on a large land area of 23 Rais on Ratchadaphisck Road, Huai Khwang District of Bangkok, the National Cultural Centre is the local point for cultural exchange both at the national and international levels. Its main objective is to enhance the awareness of the Thai people of the value of Thai culture to the extent that they will guard it with ardent care and preserve it as part of their eminent national iden tity. Inside the centre there is a large assembly hall, small meeting hall, open air theatre,library, language laboratory,. and audiovisual laboratory. For more mformation please telephone 247-0028 or 247-3201. 
Situated on the right side of the National Museum, the National Theatre is directly under the administration of the Department of Fine Arts with.the mission to organise theatrical performances particularly the Sisuk Nattakam programme which is staged on the last Friday and Saturday of each consecutive month. For more information please telephone 
Located within the Phan Fa Bridge, branch of the Bangkok Bank, the Sangkhit Sin Centre is a cultural centre where Thai classical music or
technical discussions on the issue music are organised for
the public every Friday free-of-charge. For more information about the performances and timetable please call 282-2396. 
Located on Petchaburi Road (near Ekkamai Intersection) near Charn Issara II building, ang 0 Intersect.1O h re modern dramas are staged every Theatre IS we. 
Located on Charoenkrung road of Phra Nakhon District, the theatre used to be Chaloemkrung movie house 111 the old days. The place was renovated to be a modern theatre, well equipped with special effects and techniques like laser and 
