The Bangkok National Museum (พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติ พระนคร) is the largest museum in Southeast Asia. It features exhibits of Thai art and history. It is occupying the former palace of the Thai vice king (then called Front Palace) and is set between Thammasat University and the National Theater, facing Sanam Luang.

 

The Buddhaisawan Chapel was built in 1787 to house Phra Buddha Sihing, an important Buddha image. Inside the chapel, the mural paintings depict scenes from the life of the Buddha. The galleries contain exhibits covering Thai History back to Neolithic times. The collection includes the 'King Ram Khamhaeng Stele', which was inscribed on UNESCO's Memory of the World Programme Register in 2003 in recognition of its world significance.

 

Other than preserving and displaying Thai artifacts dated from Dvaravati, Srivijaya, to Lopburi, Sukhothai, Ayutthaya and Rathanakosin periods, the museum is also displaying collections of regional Asian Buddhist Arts such as Indian Gandhara and Mathura, Chinese Tang, Vietnamese Cham, Indonesian Java, and Cambodian Khmer.

 

Download museum flyer with floor plan

 

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