7 Unique Bangkok Museums You Should Visit At Least Once
Bangkok is well-known for its infamous nightlife, its endless shopping possibilities, and intriguing food options. Less obvious and less known is that there is a multiplicity of interesting museums.
We have compiled a list, in no particular order, of 7 unique and noteworthy museums in and around Bangkok, which are well-worth visiting.
1) Ancient City (Muang Boran)
If you want to see Thailand in less than one day, Ancient City is the place where this is actually possible. Built to replicate the shape of the country; it’s one place that shouldn’t be overlooked.
It is dubbed as one of the world’s largest museum, 200 acres in size, featuring over 116 different structures and attractions from all over the country. Some are the actual buildings, while others are considered replicas.
Some interesting attractions are the impressive replicas of "Phanom Rung Sanctuary, Buri Ram" and "Wat Maha That, Sukhothai", as well as the floating market. For transportation, bikes and golf cars are also available for rent.
Entry fee: 350 Baht for Adults / 175 Baht for children [Thai citizens]
Entry fee: 700 Baht for Adults / 350 Baht for children [Foreigners]
Operating hours: Daily from 8am – 5pm
Location: Ancient City (Muang Boran), Samut Prakan, Bangpoo
For more information visit their Facebook page or website.
2) MOCA – Museum of Contemporary Art Bangkok
When it comes to contemporary art, there is no way around MOCA (the Museum of Contemporary Art Bangkok). The five-story building features over 800 art pieces on display, which is the largest collection of modern paintings and sculptures in Thailand.
The museum is built by Boonchai Bencharongkul, founder and chairman of DTAC, and is considered Southeast Asia’s most ambitious private museum.
You could easily spend the entire day here, gazing at Thai art from the past and the present. There is also a coffee shop on the ground floor.
Entry fee: 250 Baht for Adults [Free entry for children below 13 and seniors above 60]
Entry fee: 100 Baht for Students [ID required]
Operating hours: Tuesday–Friday 10am–5pm
Saturdays & Sundays 11am–6pm
Location: MOCA – Museum of Contemporary Art Bangkok, Chatuchak
For more information visit their Facebook page or website.
3) Bangkok Forensic Museum
Bangkok Forensic Museum is not your average museum, but a unique go-to place if you’re a thrill seeker, who is into the creepy and extreme.
Expect to encounter bodies of accident victims, body parts, human organs affected by parasites, tapeworms, sceletons, mutated specimens frozen in formaldehyde and dried bodies of murderers.
Needless to say, some exhibits are not suited for the innocent eyes of children.
Entry fee: 200 Baht for Adults / 25 Baht for children [Foreigners]
Entry fee: 80 Baht for Thai citizen above 18
Operating hours: Wednesday – Monday 10am – 5pm
Location: Bangkok Forensic Museum, Siriraj Hospital, Prannok Road
For more information visit their Facebook page or website.
4) Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall
The Rattanakosin period (1782–1932) saw, amongst many other things, the kingdom developing into a modern centralized nation state with Bangkok as its capital city, and - as the only Southeast Asian nation - maintaining its independence.
The Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall features nine separate halls, showcasing (through film, music, as well as projections) all there is to know about this defining era, such as traditions, culture and art, as well as customs and everyday life inside the Grand Palace.
There are personal tours available every 20 minutes.
Entry fee: 100 Baht for Adults
Free entry for children under 120cm, students (ID required) and Thai citizens over 60
Operating hours: Tuesday – Sunday 10am – 7pm
Location: Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall, Ratcha Damnoen Klang Avenue
For more information visit their Facebook page or website.
5) Museum of Counterfeit Goods
The Museum of Counterfeit Goods showcases a huge range of products that infringe trademark, patents, and copyrights.
In order to view this exhibition, it is required to book an appointment 24 hours before the visit. Overlooked by the Tilleke & Gibbins law firm, the collection, which covers 14 broad categories of goods, has grown to over 4,000 pieces.
Operating hours: Mondays at 2pm & Thursdays at 10am (by appointment only!)
Location: Museum of Counterfeit Goods, 26th Floor, Supalai Grand Tower, Rama 3 Road
For more information visit their website or call +66-2653-5546.
6) Jim Thompson House
Jim Thompson House showcases art and artifacts collected by Southeast Asian art collector Jim Thompson, who was an American businessman who helped revitalise the Thai silk industry in the 1950s.
His house was formed from parts of six antique Thai houses, built with the intention to showcase his art collection. Its is under the royal patronage and has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in Bangkok. Guided tours are available daily.
Entry fee: 150 Baht for Adults / 100 Baht for Students under 22 (ID required)
Operating hours: Daily from 9am – 6pm (final tour)
Location: Jim Thompson House, Soi Kasemsan 2, Rama 1 Road
For more information visit their Facebook page or website.
7) Batcat Toy Museum
Thailand's largest toy museum, with two large rooms and mezzanines, packed with glass shelves containing over 50,000 memorabilia and collectors items.
The exhibits vary from small to life-size comic characters, comic books, and magazines, games and costumes, with some items dating back as early as 1960. There is also a museum shop where some items are on sale.
Entry fee: 250 Baht for Adults / 150 Baht for children [Foreigners]
Entry fee: 100 Baht for Adults / 60 Baht for children [Thai citizens]
Operating hours: Monday – Friday from 10am – 5pm, Saturday – Sunday 9pm – 8pm
Location: Batcat Toy Museum, Srinakarin Road
For more information visit their Facebook page or call 02 375 90 06.