The Bangkok National Museum is a definate must on your trip....that is if you are interested in history and have the time. If you participate in the tour conducted by the volunteers then give yourself a minimum 4 hours. It is advertised for 2 hours but we were still going at 1pm. There is a coffee shop, restaurant and a book store so you could easily spend the day and not have to leave the premises. The tour is well worth while...again if you have the time. If you do not have the 4 hours plus.....I suggest you still take the time to visit the museum.
To get there it is best to take the Chao Phraya Boat to Tha Chang Pier (N9). Walk through the food stalls and market sellers on the left hand side, cross a road and with the Grand Palace on the right. You will eventually come to the Au Bon Pain, again on the left and then Sanam Luang (A large Park). Turn left here and walk down until you read the Bangkok National Museum. Tickets can be purchased to the left of the entrance way.
In the former grounds of the 18th Century Wang Na Palace, The National Museum houses the largest collection of Thai art and artifacts in the country. It's definitely worth a visit, especially if visiting nearby Wat Phra Kaew or the Grand Palace.
Opened by King Rama V to exhibit the antiques and gifts bestowed to him by his father, it once held a reputation for being an ill-organised gathering of dusty relics. That has now changed, with exhibits now arranged into three areas consistent with Thai history, and good English-language descriptions available.
The front of the Sivamokhaphiman Hall is a Thai history gallery spanning the Sukothai through to the Rattanakosin periods. The Archaeological and Art History collection showcases items from Thailand's prehistory to Sukhotahai and Ayutthaya eras right through to the modern Thai Kingdom, including many ancient sculptures. Among scores of interesting collections in the decorative arts and ethnological collection are Chinese weapons, gold treasures, precious stones, Khon masks, puppets, ceramics, clothing and textiles, woodcarving and traditional musical instruments from around Southeast Asia.
Other exhibits of interest include a funeral chariot hall, featuring carriages used for royal cremations, and many excellent examples of Thai architecture. These include the Buddhaisawan chapel, a teak or 'red' house called Tam Nak Deang and various beautiful pavilions. Free English-language tours given by volunteers are available and also conducted in German (Thursdays), French and Japanese (Wednesdays). On some sites it is advertised that there are tours on Saturday - but I was advised that this actually NOT the case at this time. For further details make sure you contact the Museum first.
There is a coffee shop that is air conditioned and sells cold and hot drinks. The museum shop has a great collection of books on Thailand and the Asian Region and the Restaurant serves local food at local prices.
