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.

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 that of the Victorian - style wood carving in England. Inside the museum a wide variety of exquisite handicrafts are displayed, e.g. silverware, gold and silver 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 added in the fee for entering the Wiman Mek Palace. For more information please telephone 281-8803, or 281-8824.

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 respectively School children or students in uniform do not have to pay by group study tours need to be notified in writing.

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 Tuesdays 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 medium 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.

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.

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.

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 identity. Inside the centre there is a large assembly hall, small meeting hall, open air theatre,library, language laboratory, and audiovisual laboratory.

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.

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 Charoenkrung road of Phra Nakhon District, the theatre used to be Chaloemkrung movie house in 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.