Once known as the Venice of the East, Bangkok has undergone steady but dramatic changes over decades. What once was a city filled with waterways and wooden houses, is now a concrete jungle of skyscrapers and modern houses. The Bangkokian Museum offers visitors the chance to take a look of what Bangkok was like before the metropolis that it is today.

The museum comprises of 3 distinct houses, all of which are more than a century old, owned by the Surawadee family. Warapon Surawadee is the current curator and owner of the museum.

Despite their age, the buildings are still in good shape. The first house you will visit is an old-styled home. It is comprised of two bedrooms, a changing room, a living room, and a bathroom.  All of the furniture, appliances, and items that you see in the house have all been used before, when the Surawadee family lived in it.

The second building is a two-story wooden house. Initially, the house was supposed to be a clinic. The first husband of Warapon’s mother, a foreign doctor, wanted to use his medical expertise to treat people in the community. Inside, you will see that the house/clinic is furnished with the proper medical supplies and equipment of that period. Unfortunately, the good doctor passed away before the clinic could be opened.

The third and final building has a more modern look than the other two. The house is furnished with objects from the post- WW2 years. After the war, an influx of foreigners came to Thailand, and brought along with them modernity. The second floor of the building is an exhibit retelling the story of how Bangkok has changed from before until now.

There are many interesting stories about Bangkok’s past. The volunteer workers at the museum will be happy to share their knowledge and old stories. Ask them about the fish pond in front of the house!

Address : 273, Soi 43, CharoenkrungRd., Bangrak District, Bangkok

GPS : 13.728387,100.518127

Contact no. : 02 233 7027, 02 231 6930

E-mail : bkkfolk_museum@hotmail.co.th

Website : http://www.bkkfolkmuseum.com/

Facebook : http://th-th.facebook.com/BkkMuseum

Opening Hrs. : Wed-Sun from10.00-17.00

Entrance Fee : Free

Best time : Anytime of the year

Highlight : Old and Retro appliances, furniture, and objects.

Activities : Sight-seeing, Edutainment

From Silom road, turn into Charoenkrung road and turn right towards Chinatown. Soi 43 is opposite the post office. The museum is about 300 meters into the soi.

Take the BTS to Saphan Taksin station, then take a cab to soi 43.

Bus numbers 1, 16, 35, 75, and 93 drive past the post office. Once past, get off and cross the road to soi 43.