10 Best Museums in Bangkok

The Thai capital most commonly invokes images of crowded street food stalls, speeding tuk-tuks, and swanky rooftop bars. But the wide-ranging museum scene is another can’t-miss attraction. From traditional Thai homes preserved in time to sprawling national museums, and contemporary galleries, Bangkok has an option for every kind of art lover. Come to learn about Thai culture through its art, or to escape the sweltering sun; either way, it’s worth the price of admission. Read on for our list of Bangkok's best museums to get you started.


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Bangkokian Museum


The Bangkokian Museum is a truly off-the-beaten-path, hard-to-find hidden gem in Khet Bang Rak made up of several small, ridiculously charming homes built in the 1930s. The complex is perfectly preserved and maintained, giving visitors a peek into middle-class Tha life nearly 100 years ago. There's also a smaller, more modern building that houses old photos of Bangkok, as well as a random assortment of artifacts and objects. It's not uncommon to be the only person here. The rooms are small, so it's better that way.




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Museum Siam


Museum Siam Khet Phra Nakhon is an interactive museum full of surprises. On the outside, it's a stately, neoclassical building. Once you step in, you'll see a juxtaposition of antique fixtures and technology combined with modern art. Each of the 14 rooms are designed to showcase the history, culture, and evolution of the Thai people through video, audio, and interactive elements. There's a lot to absorb, and you could easily—and happily—spend three hours wandering.









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Tilleke & Gibbins Museum of Counterfeit Goods


Located on the 26th story of the imposingly grand Supalai Grand Tower, the Museum of Counterfeit Goods shares a floor with its creators, the working law firm of Tilleke & Gibbins. It's hidden and nowhere near the middle of the city—you won't just stumble upon it by chance. The exhibition consists of 500 counterfeit items (from the firm's thousands, all confiscated) ranging from clothes to food to medication. It's very cool to see, but there's a much larger purpose: To educate the public about copyright infringement.




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Bangkok National Museum


The granddaddy of all Thai museums, the Bangkok National Museum was the first National Museum in Thailand; today it's home to the most extensive collection of Thai artifacts and art in the country. Located on the grounds of the Grand Palace, the museum, which was built in the late 1800s, consists of numerous buildings, each housing different types of art. Three permanent exhibition galleries, all with sculptures and artifacts, have their own themes: a Thai History Gallery, an Archaeological and Art History collection, and a Decorative Arts and Ethnological Collection.









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Ancient Siam


A giant open-air museum in the shape of Thailand, the Muang Boran consists of one-third-scale replicas of buildings found throughout the country. The grounds are spectacular but quite large, so if you find the complex too difficult to navigate on foot, hop on a free tram or bike or rent a golf cart. However you spend your time, this is a meditative and quiet place to escape the city and see Thai architectural hits, all in one place.




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Art in Paradise


Art In Paradise, Bangkok's first 3D art museum, consists of six permanent exhibition spaces spread among two levels inside the Esplanade Shopping Mall. Each room has dozens of intricate paintings designed for you to jump right in and pose for the camera. The 150 paintings and interactive sets include period pieces, modern works, and fantastical designs. The experience can feel like you're in a theme park at times, but it can also offer a wildly funny few hours with friends.









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Suan Pakkad Palace


Suan Pakkad Palace is a group of eight small, traditional teak Thai houses built centuries ago in Chiang Mai and transported to a lush tropical garden in Bangkok. The palace is the former private residence of a royal family who converted the buildings and their vast treasures into a museum in the early 1950s. Today, they house antiquities from different centuries, including ancient artifacts from all over Asia, instruments, furniture, everyday household items, paintings, and an ornate throne.




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Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA Bangkok)


The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) is a five-story museum with more than 800 works. The stark, modern building was created to look as though it was carved from one piece of granite; cascading jasmine designs on either side project natural light onto the atrium floor inside. There are several floors of permanent exhibits, plus seasonal shows (including, most recently, the elephant-focused "Legend"). The art isn't packed in, and there's plenty of room to admire one piece at a time.









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Bangkok Art and Culture Centre


Much like the Guggenheim in New York, the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre has a central atrium surrounded by nine floors of exhibitions, shops, and restaurants. Popular among young people and students, this museum nurtures creativity and the arts. There's a huge array of art from Thailand and around the world, including photographs, paintings, modern art, and sculptures. The museum also hosts musical performances, movie screenings, and programs for kids.




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The Jim Thompson House


Known as the "Thai Silk King," Jim Thompson was an American architect credited with saving the dying silk industry in Thailand during the 1960s until he mysteriously vanished in a Malaysian jungle. He left behind a jaw-dropping complex of six traditional teak homes in the middle of the city, one filled with treasures collected during his decades-long love affair with Southeast Asia. Here visitors can wander through his house, admiring fine porcelain, paintings, wall hangings, and figurines. After an English language tour, snack on fresh spring rolls and pad thai next to the peaceful koi pond, visit the museum shop, and stroll through the tropical gardens.

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