Bangkok Travel Guide

Museums & Galleries

National Museum Bangkok: is considered the largest museum in Southeast Asia. It features a wide collection of antiques including prehistoric art, murals, bronzes and ceremonial carriages used by the royal family. There are also many exhibitions held regularly at the museum.
Na Phra That Road, Bangkok. Open: daily, 9:00 to 16:00.

Suan Pakkad Palace Museum: was once the residence of Princess Chumbhot of Nagor Svarga, one of Thailand’s leading art collectors. Eight traditional Thai teak houses overlooking charming garden display a number of collections of art, antiques, traditional instruments and many beautiful statues.
352 Sri Ayutthaya Rd, Bangkok. Open: daily, 9:00 to 16:00.

The National Gallery: houses both traditional and contemporary Thai art and displays works by Thai artists dating from the 17th century onwards. The contemporary works reflect the impact of major western schools including Impressionism and Cubism on Thai art. This place has proven to be one of the favourite venues for art connoisseurs.
Chao Fa Road, Ko Rattanakosin District, Opposite the National Theatre, Bangkok. Open: Wednesday to Sunday, 9:00 to 16:00.

Jim Thompson’s House: was once the home of an American silk entrepreneur. It is now a notable museum in the shape of a remarkably beautiful traditional teak Thai house that accommodates a wide range of artworks and antique pieces from the Southeast Asian region. It’s a good reflection of a Thai home of a well-to-do, turn-of-the-century Thai family. You can also see a headless Buddha figure in the garden, dating from the 6th century.
Alongside Saen Saeb Canal on Soi Kasem San 2, off Rama I Road, Bangkok. Open: daily, 9:00 to 16:30.

Children’s Discovery Museum: is a favourite among children, displaying eight different sections in three buildings, providing insights into science, nature, culture and society. The first building features the Body and Mind Gallery; the Science, Culture and Society Gallery; and the Technology Gallery.

The second building presents the Queen Sirikit Park Gallery and the Kid’s Town, where children can ‘exercise their muscles’, while the Nature and Environment Gallery can be found in the third building.
810 Kamphaegphet 4 Road, Ladyao, Chatuchak, Bangkok (On the northern edge of Chatuchak Weekend Market). Open: 9:00 to 8:00 on weekdays and 10:00 to 17:00 on weekends.

Thailand Creative and Design Centre (TCDC): is supported by the Office of the Prime Minister, housing a great number of contemporary exhibitions and displays of art masterpieces. Here you can find outstanding collections such as the Vivienne Westwood exhibition and many other shows from world-class designers and artists.

TCDC also boasts a resource centre, which is one of the largest and best-equipped design resource centres in Asia, gathering all kinds of materials and documents about art and design.
6th Floor, the Emporium Shopping Complex, Sukhumvit 24, Wattana, Bangkok. Open: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:30 - 21.00.