The Travel Trip

Exotic Bangkok is the social and political center of Thailand and the economic capital of most of southeast Asia. This cosmopolitan city is home to great food, incredible shopping, world class restaurants and a number of five star Bangkok hotels. Visitors will find much to see and do in this global city with a strong and rich cultural heritage.

While more popularly known for its entertainment and food, Bangkok boasts a number of wonderful musuems and historic sites. The National Museum is housed in a former palace of the second king. It features artifacts and art from Thailand and the surrounding region and celebrates the country’s cultural heritage. The complex also includes several throne halls, the National Theatre and colleges of Fine Arts and Dramatic Arts. The National Gallery exhibits works from traditional Thai artists as well as contemporary works. It also houses oil paintings created by the King of Thailand.

The Children’s Discovery Museum can be found inside Queen Sirikit Park and is dedicated to providing a pleasurable learning experience for Thai children. Completed in 2001, the Museum encompasses three exhibition buildings and an open-air activity area. It features exhibits as wells as hands-on activities to expose children to science, culture, and nature.

To get an overview of the history of Thailand, its people, and its culture from prehistoric times to the present, the Thai Life Permanent Exhibition Hall is the place to go. Part of the Thailand Cultural Center, The Exhibition Hall covers five areas: Thai Language and Literature, the Evolution of the Thai Nation, Important Achievements and Events in Thai Society, Rice and the Thai Way of Life, and Thailand and the World. The House of Museums houses a collection of items used by villagers and townspeople in their daily lives. Artifacts include books, toys, household items, and kitchen utensils from both traditional households and modern life. The Jim Thompson museum offers a collection of traditional Thai-style houses combined into one building. It also houses a collection of priceless Asian art.

Other museums of note include the King Prajadhipok Museum, the Sunthorn Museum, the Museum of Buddhism Art, and the Science Centre for Education.
Some of the more specialized museums in Bangkok include the Bangkok Doll Museum, the Museum of Thai Pharmacy, the Rare Stone Museum, the Royal Barge National Museum, and the State Railway Hall of Fame. The Bank of Thailand Museum, the Philatelic Museum and Library, the Thai Labour Museum, and the The Press Museum are also worth investigating. The Siriraj Museum houses smaller museums of anatomy, medicine, and related fields while the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre pulls together anthropological research and artifacts from throughout the region.

Other historical sites of interest in Bangkok include the Ancient City, Anantasamakhom Throne Hall, the Vimanmek Mansion Museum, and the Suan Pakkad Palace.

Posted on January 10th, 2009 by admin
Filed under: Arts & Culture, Travel