THAI MUSEUMS

If someone ask you when was the last time you visited  a museum in Malaysia, your answer would probably " I cannot remember". But in Thailand there is probably no better place in begin a visit  than the Bangkok National Museum near the Sanam Luang grounds. It boasts a treasury of history, artwork, sculptures and royal regalia that provide unique insights into what has made Thailand what it is.

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. Later, the Museum was transferred to its present site, the “Wang Na”, or “Palace to the Front”. 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.

The National Museum Bangkok houses three permanent exhibition galleries : -

•  The Thai History Gallery;
• The Archaeological and Art History Collections; and the
• Decorative Arts and Ethnological Collection which is displayed in the old central palace buildings. This collection contains a variety of artistic, cultural and ethnographic exhibits such as gold treasures and precious stones, mother of pearl inlay, royal emblems and insignia, costumes and textiles, ceramics, carved ivory, old royal transportation, old weapons and musical instruments.

Other exhibits of interest in the Museum grounds include:

•  The Royal Funeral Chariots built for Royal cremation ceremonies,
• The Buddhaisawan Chapel, housing the Phra Buddhasihing, an important sacred Buddha image. The paintings inside this chapel are the oldest murals in Bangkok.
• Issares Rajanusorn, a restored private residence of King Pinklao, King Rama IV’s brother.
• The Red House, originally one of the private living quarters of Queen Sri Suriyen, wife of King Rama II.

You can now compare  what they have in store for you at our very own National Museum and a couple of other minor museums in Kuala Lumpur.