Bangkok National Museum

Just to the west (river side) of Sanam Luang, the National Museum is only a short walk from Khao San Road on Na Phra That Road. There are English language tours at 9:30 on Wednesdays and Thursdays (no extra charge) and in French on Wednesdays, Japanese on Wednesdays and German on Thursdays. The museum is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and national holidays; open from 9 – 4 on other days. (02 224 1370).

Very many bus routes pass nearby, for example: 2, 3, 6, 9, 15, 19, 30, 31, 32, 33, 39, 42, 43, 44, 47, 51, 53, 56, 59, 60, 64, 69, 70, 79, 80, 90, 91, 103, 201 and 203, and air-conditioned 3, 7, 9 and 11.

This is just opposite the National Museum on Chao Fah Road and displays classical and contemporary Thai art, including paintings by the King. The gallery is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and National Holidays. Admission costs Bt30. (02 281 2224)

Very many bus routes pass nearby, for example: 2, 3, 6, 9, 15, 19, 30, 31, 32, 33, 39, 42, 43, 44, 47, 51, 53, 56, 59, 60, 64, 69, 70, 79, 80, 90, 91, 103, 201 and 203, and air-conditioned 3, 7, 9 and 11.

Royal Barge Museum

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The royal barges are used on ceremonial occasions and otherwise stored in a museum on the Thonburi side of the river not far from the National Museum at the mouth of the Bangkok Noi Canal. They are remarkable old style vessels up to fifty metres in length. The largest requires fifty oarsmen, seven parasol bearers, two helmsmen, two navigators, a flagman, a rhythm-beater and a chanter. Open daily from 9 – 5. Located on Klong Bangkok Noi close to the Pinklao Road.

Buses 19 and 91 pass by the Royal Barge Museum. It is also possible to take a ferry or express boat to Thonburi Railway Station (Rot Fai), and then walk along beside the railway until reaching a bridge over the canal on your right. The museum is just across the canal. (02 424 0004)

Jim Thompson’s House

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Jim Thompson was a famous American who came to Thailand after the war and revived the silk trade. Even more famous is his disappearance in mysterious circumstances in 1967 in the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia, where no trace of him has ever been found. He built a traditional Thai house on the bank of a canal in Bangkok and that house is now a museum showing his collection of Asian antiques and handicrafts. Jim Thompson’s House is in Soi Kaseman 2, off Rama I Road, which is the western extension of Sukhumvit Road. Admission costs Bt100 and open daily.

From Khao San Road, take bus no. 15 or 47 to the National Stadium. From Sukhumvit Road, take bus no. 48, or air-conditioned no. 8. Alternatively, Sky Train to National Stadium (W1). From Hualampong Station, bus no. 73. No. 25, 29, 34, 40 and 113 also go very near. Alight at Siam Square. (02 216 7368)

Hall of Railway Heritage

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Just to the west of Suan Chatuchak, mentioned above, is this train museum displaying steam engines and model and miniature trains. The area adjoins the yards of the State Railways of Thailand and can be seen from the train on the right as one departs from Bang Sue station, fifteen minutes after leaving Bangkok (Hualampong). The museum is open only between 5am and noon on Sundays.

Buses 3, 8, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 34, 38, 39, 44, 52, 59, 63, 69, 77, 92, 96, 104, 107, 112, 122, 129, 134, 136, 138 and 145, and air-conditioned 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 12, 13, 157 and 159, or Sky Train to Morchit .

A large collection of Buddha images displayed in this well laid out museum. It is located on Soi 40 Pattanakarn Road and open from 10am until 5.30 pm every day except Monday.

Museum of Sciences and Planetarium

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These are next to the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai) at 128 Sukhumvit Road. They are closed on Mondays and National Holidays and the planetarium has its last showing on other days at 2.30. Admission costs Bt30 for the museum and Bt30 for the planetarium.

Buses 2, 25, 38, 40, 48 and 72, and air-conditioned 1, 8, 11 and 13, or Sky Train to Ekkamai (02 392 1773).

A museum full of fibre glass human images to represent all forms of Thai life. A sort of Madame Tussaud's. Pinklao Nakhon Chaisi Highway. (032 332 109)

A well organised museum with lots of hands on things to do. Located at Soi Khlong 5 Rangsit and open every day except Monday from 9.30 until 5pm. Admission is 50 baht. (02 577 9999)

A hi tec museum that has something for all ages. Located at Techno Thani, Thanon Rangsit – Nakhonnayok, North East. Closed on Mondays and open from 9am – 5.30pm for the rest of the week.

Dolls from all over the world, but especially from Bangkok. The address of this collection is Soi Ratchataphan, Soi Mor Leng, off Ratcha Prarop Road, so, as can be imagined, it is not so easy to locate. Closed on Sundays and National Holidays. Admission free.

These buses run along Ratcha Prarop Road, from where the House of Dolls is a 10 minute walk: 14, 38, 62, 74, 77 and 204, and air-conditioned 4 and 13.

A museum devoted to cameras and photography. Open Monday to Friday 10.30 – 3.30 and with an admission of 100 Baht. It is located at Department of Photographic and Printing technology, Faculty of Sciences, Chulalongkorn University. (02 218 5583).

The site is a collection of a Thai teak houses collected from around Thailand all linked together in a small garden. Kukrit Pramoj was a writer, poet and politician and lived in the house in what was a very elegant Bangkok street. Located at 19 Soi Phra Phinit, South Sathorn Road. Take the BTS to Ching Nonsi. (02 286 8185)

Baan Khathieng is an antique wooden house from northern Thailand. Now a museum for the Siam Society. The house is surrounded by gardens and contains ancient Thai manuscripts and an art collection.

A museum that displays the effects and information related to King Rama V11. The king was instrumental in reforms in the early part of the 20 th Century and these are described. The museum is open form 9 – 4 from Tuesday until Sunday including national holidays with an admission of 40 baht. It is located at 2 Lam Luang Road in the Pomprap District (02 280 3414).

A typical Lanna house over 150 years old. It is owned by the Siam Society who use it as a museum that is open from 9 – 5 Tuesday – Saturday. It is located at the Siam Society No 131 Sukhumvit 21 Road, North Khlong Toei. (02 661 6471)

A museum that shows the history of the working people of Thailand over the years. Open every day except Mondays from 10 – 4, with free admission. Located on Makkasan Road, Ratchathewi District. (02 251 3173)

A new museum about silk and located on the First Floor of the S.V. City Building on Rama 111 road. Open Monday – Saturday from 10 – 7.

A museum that educates about stones and minerals. The museum alos has ashtrays, coins, pipes and lighters. Located at 1054 Charoen Krung 26, New Road, Bang Rak and open daily from 10 – 5.30.(02 236 5655)

This is a collection of exhibits that centre on the role of Elephants in Thai life. It is located at U-thong Nai Road in the Dusit District and open every day from 9 – 4. The entry is 5 baht. (02 282 3336).

An art centre that focuses on folk costumes. A tableaux of Thai communities illustrate Thai culture. Located at Soi 62, Phahonyothin Road (02 531 2013).

Planes are displayed in five hangars. Paholyothin Road, (02 534 1853).

A museum outside the Ministry of Defence with cannons from different times of Thai history. (02 226 3814)

Bangkok has a variety of specialist museums and these are listed below. It is suggested you call them first as many require advance notice and not generally open unless a request is made. Some will only open for special pre arranged groups.