After the long spending time at home, we had lived our daily routine with reading books, watching TV series, and have a cup of coffee or two with our fluffy kitties, but deep down inside we are actually craving for an adventure. Still, travelling to another province is not so convenient, but visiting the museums in Bangkok is yet a terrific idea, so plan your itinerary and let’s do it now.

Rattanakosin Island, the northern part of Phra Nakhon district, is full of history for you to enjoy learning and experiencing. If you want to be enchanted by the story of its past events, I am proud to invite you to 5 museums that will serve your desire, which are Museum Siam, Krungthai Art Gallery, The Queen’s Gallery, King Prajadhipok Museum, and Bangkok Local Museum Bangrak.  All of these museums are included in the Thailand Museum Pass card, you just need to buy one. Along this route, you can also enjoy iconic restaurants and cafes along the way.

Museum Siam

Let’s begin with Museum Siam, today we will guide you to get there by the Chao Phraya express boat service, or as it is well known as ‘the Orange Flag Boat’, and get off at Yodpiman Pier. Then, take a walk through the alley nearby Rajini School, you will see the old building of the Phra Barom Maharachawang metro police station, you shall walk further a bit then Museum Siam will be on your left hand side.

But if you want to enjoy sightseeing a little longer, you can get off at Tha Tian Pier where you can visit other significant places among numerous tourists such as the Grand Palace or Wat Pho temple. You can also go shopping at the Tha Tian Market while appreciating the glamorous view of Wat Arun temple from the opposite side before you head to Museum Siam.

The land of Museum Siam and Phra Barom Maharachawang metro police station, both of them once were the location of five palaces back in the era of King Rama V, and later on in the era of King Rama VI, part of the land was offered to construct the metro police station and the Ministry of Commerce.  Afterward, the Ministry of Commerce area had been renovated as “Museum Siam,” the museum offers a new perspective with fun and informative presentation not like the others.

Museum Siam displays a story telling of the controversial ideas of Thainess along with many different perspectives through 14 rooms of the main exhibition called “Decoding Thainess”.  The exhibition will lead you to explore your idea and belief about Thainess again. 

One of the highlights here is “Mae Erb Sup” a 13 foot statue of Nang Kwak, one of the superstitious beliefs about a holy spirit that brings wealth and fortune to anyone who worships her, displayed on the second floor of the museum. What makes this Nang Kwak different from others is a plumper body shape with large and attractive eyes that will attract people to visit the museum with joy and excitement.

And before you move to the next stop, one cafe in the Pak Khlong Talat market is recommended, you may probably see on Pinterest, the café called “Floral Cafe at Napassorn”. The uniqueness of the cafe is that there is a flower shop on the first floor and the second floor is where the cafe is. You can enjoy a cup of coffee while letting the scent of flowers satisfy you.

Museum Siam is now open! 10.00 am - 6.00 pm (Closed on Mondays). The admission fee is 100 THB for regular visitors, but student is only 50 THB.  But if you have a Thailand Museum Pass, the card will give you free access.

Krungthai Art Gallery

After a long journey at Museum Siam, ice cream seems to be the best choice for a short break during the day, doesn’t it? In that case, you can stop by “JING JING Ice-cream Bar and Cafe,” where you can enjoy one of the best ice creams in Chinatown while appreciating the vibes as you sit in the scene of Wong Kar-wai’s movies. If you are the real cafe hoppers, you may never want to miss this.

Once you finish the ice cream, let’s move along to where we’re actually here for. An old Sino-Portuguese building opposite the Grand China hotel that once was the Krungthai bank Chinatown branch is now “Krungthai Art Gallery,” an art gallery where over 170 pieces of artwork are displayed including the exhibition of Krungthai Art Award-winning artwork.

After you finish appreciating the view of Chinatown from the rooftop, you can go shopping at the Sam-peng market in Chinatown if you still have time. It is only 3 minutes away from the art gallery. If you are the handcraft lovers, how about the Phahurat textile market where you can find any kind of fabric for your lovely DIY handbag or a beautiful scarf to take a photo with.

Krungthai Art Gallery opens at 9.00 am - 5.00 pm on Mondays to Fridays, 10.00 am - 5.00 pm on Saturdays, and closed on Sundays. The  gallery is free of charge! If you plan to visit the night market in Chinatown and have no plans during the day, let’s come check this place out.

Bangkok Local Museum Bangrak

Let’s move from the old city area and go to the museum that simulates the way of life in Bangkok during WWII. You can easily get there by Tuk Tuk taxi right away from the Krungthai Art Gallery, or you can take the Chao Phraya Express Boat and get off at the Oriental Hotel Pier, then take a walk along Charoen Krung road, and make a turn to the house on Charoen Krung 43. You will see the house museum that displays all the household items of the middle-class people during that period.

In fact, if you’d want to take a short break and grab something to eat before you go to the museum, you can take the boat service to the Si Phraya pier and have Chinese dumplings at Feng Zhu restaurant located nearby the River City Bangkok shopping mall. You can also enjoy taking photos along Captain Bush lane, House No.1, and Warehouse 30. Then, you can walk across the street from where you are to Charoen Krung 43 and get to the museum.

The museum used to be the property belonging to Professor Waraporn Surawadee inherited from her mother Sa-ang (Boontek).  The house was renovated to be a museum as the owner hope that the younger generation would have a chance to experience the environment of WWII back in 70 years ago.

The first building used to be the main house decorated in western style. The construction, household objects, and furniture were all influenced by the western culture. In the living room, you will see an old and outstanding piano aged more than 70 years or built even before WWII started, displayed right in front of you. The interesting part of it is the keyboard that was made of ivory and surprisingly remains in good condition. Besides the piano, there are glistening, shining, and sparkling glassware, such as wineglass and martini glass, displayed in the cabinet.

Move a little further, you will see the bathroom with an old-school toilet that will blow your mind. And how does it work without plumbing? Underneath the toilet, there is a chamber pot that will help dispose of all the waste, it is easy to take away outside of the house. Sanitation must have been a really difficult work back then.

The second building exhibits the clinic of Dr. Francis Christian from Soi Ngam Du Plee. Despite the clinic is exhibited on a smaller scale than the original one in order to fit in the space of the building, you can still sense the realness of the environment with the display of the antique medical equipment.

There are also another 2 houses in the museum, but I’m afraid I may need to spill no more beans. It is better if you check them out by yourself.

The Bangkok Local Museum Bangrak opens at 10.00 am - 4.00 pm and closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.  As the museum founder’s inspiration, there is no admission fee. But if you bring the Thailand Museum Pass, you will get a free sticker from the museum as a souvenir.

King Prajadhipok Museum

The next recommended museum is the “King Prajadhipok Museum” located opposite the Panfa Leelad pier. You can easily take the Khlong Saen Saep boat service to the end of the line. Once you arrive, you will see the majestical museum with a European style building right in front of you. The museum is considered the nearest museum to the pier, with only a few feet across the road, you will be impressed by the history of King Rama VII.

Every single object has a story and values in them. Some of them have spiritual values, and some have historical values behind them. Similar to the “King Prajadhipok Museum,” the value objects in the king museum were offered by Queen Rambhai Barni, the King’s wife.  The displays show crown jewels of King Prajadhipok that carry those kinds of values, waiting to be explored.

The first floor of the museum will educate you about the history of King Rama VII through the biography including the display of His Majesty’s items.  You will also see the European style of clothing belonging to Queen Rambhai Barni. Not only that, but you will also see an appealing bag made of traditional Thai mat called “Kra Pao Suea Somdej” which was one of the queen’s royal duties that supported the local textile career in Chanthaburi by increasing product value within the local Chanthaburi mat.

On the second floor, you will see rare photos of King Prajadhipok taken during the period before he ascended to the throne, such as the Buddhist monk ordination ceremony, or the royal wedding.  Aside from that, what you really cannot miss is the movie theatre. And if you wonder what makes it different from other theatres, prepare to be amazed! because this theatre simulates the traditional vibes of Sala Chalermkrung theatre, the first movie theatre established in Thailand where numerous people came to see Hollywood movies. Though the actual theatre remains, you can still experience the traditional vibes of the theatre in this museum. If you are interested, don’t forget to spare time for the rare movies and the king’s personal films. The Movie Showtimes are only at 10.30 am and 2.30 pm, so you need to plan the whole day trip carefully.

Before you head back home, let’s check out at Alex&Beth, one of the cafes hidden among the old buildings, serving drinks and desserts. The menus that you would really enjoy are cakes, tarts, and pies.

The King Prajadhipok Museum opens at 9.00 am - 4.00 pm and closed on Mondays. Free of charge. And if you would like to experience the history of King Rama VII at your home, visit http://www.kingprajadhipokmuseum.com

The Queen’s Gallery

Last but not least, if you are still enchanted by the charm of history, or at least you have no other plans for the rest of the day. Let’s move along to “The Queen’s Gallery,” the art gallery located just across Panfa Lee Lard bridge.

Most of the important historical buildings have been changed from time to time same as the Queen’s Gallery. The building once was the Bangkok Bank Panfa Lee Lard branch in the past. Later on, it was renovated into the art gallery that no one who appreciates artwork would overlook.

The Queen’s Gallery continuously arranges various temporary exhibitions, the visitors may explore different exhibitions depends on a particular time of the year. But, generally, the art gallery comprises of various area of artworks, such as the art of sculpture, watercolors, powder paints, and mixed media, available from the first to the fourth floor.  The art gallery also values and supports the artworks from the brand new artists to the famous and legendary ones.  On the fifth floor, there will be an activity arranged to educate the visitors all about artworks. You are welcomed to join if you are interested.

Not far from the art gallery, you might not want to miss “Nang Loeng Market” where you can sense the environment of a 100-year-old market, and of course, a lot of traditional food. I recommend finding out “Sai Krok Pla Naem”, and “Sorroongroj” the legendary Thai duck noodle restaurant where I can guarantee you the best meal ever.

The Queen’s Gallery opens at 10.00 am - 7.00 pm and closed on Wednesdays. The admission fee is 50 THB. for regular visitors.

And that is all for 5 Museums in Phra Nakhon District with a few stops for sightseeing along the way. Yet, there are more attractive traveling areas to discover. Stay tuned to find out where we’ll explore next. And remember, if you plan to visit any museums in Bangkok, don’t forget to bring Thailand Museum Pass with you. Hope to see you next time. Have a wonderful journey.