Thursday, August 11, 2011

The National Museum, Bangkok


The National Museum, Bangkok (Thai: พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติ พระนคร) is the main branch museum of the National Museums in Thailand and the largest museum in Southeast Asia. It features exhibits of Thai art and history.  
 
The history of the National Museum Bangkok dates back to 1874 when King Rama V opened the first public "museum" to exhibit the royal collection of King Rama IV, and other objects of general interest, at the Concordia Pavilion inside the Grand Palace. Later, the Museum was transferred to its present site, the "Wang Na", or "Palace to the Front" which had been the palace of the Viceroy. In 1926, it was named the "Bangkok Museum" and subsequently developed into the National Museum Bangkok, when it came under the direction of the Department of Fine Arts in 1934.
  
Today the galleries contain exhibits covering Thai History back to Neolithic times. The collection includes The King Ram Khamhaeng Inscription, which was inscribed on UNESCO's Memory of the World Programme Register in 2003 in recognition of its world significance.

The museum is located in the former palace of the vice king (or Front Palace), next to the Sanam Luang.

Admission Fee:
- The admission fee for Thai people is 40 Baht but for foreigner is 200 Baht.
- The museum is open Wednesday to Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- The museum is generally closed on national holidays.
- Free guided tours are conducted by the National Museum Volunteers at 9:30 a.m. in English and French on Wednesdays and Thursdays, in Japanese on Wednesdays only, and in German on Thursdays only.

Map:


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