The vice-king's palace
A museum in an old royal palace.
This Photo was taken by Supanut Arunoprayote. Feel free to use any of my images, but please mention me as the author and may send me a message. (สามารถใช้ภาพได้อิสระ แต่กรุณาใส่เครดิตผู้ถ่ายและอาจส่งข — CC BY 4.0 · Z3144228 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Z3144228 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Mastertongapollo — CC BY-SA 4.0
Thailand's main museum and one of the largest in Southeast Asia, occupying the old palace of the vice-king, known as Wang Na, opposite Sanam Luang near the Grand Palace. King Chulalongkorn opened it in 1874 to display the royal collections of his father, King Mongkut. Its galleries cover Thai history from the Neolithic through the kingdoms of Sukhothai and Ayutthaya to the modern era. Among its treasures is the King Ramkhamhaeng Inscription, listed in UNESCO's Memory of the World programme, alongside gilded royal funeral chariots, weapons, costumes, musical instruments and ceramics, and the halls of the old palace itself with their ornament. Tickets for foreigners are about two hundred baht; it opens Wednesday to Sunday from nine to four and closes on Mondays and Tuesdays. Free guided tours in English run on set days. Allow two hours at least, as the complex is large and its buildings scattered. It is close to the Grand Palace, but it is better as a separate day or a quiet morning, as the palace alone is exhausting.
A museum in an old royal palace.
On UNESCO's Memory of the World.
Huge gilded funeral chariots.
Na Phra That Road, facing Sanam Luang
Grand Palace and the Emerald BuddhaThailand's most famous landmark: a lavish royal complex of palaces, halls and te11 minutes walk
Wat Suthat and the Giant SwingOne of Bangkok's first-class royal temples, begun by King Rama I in 1807, with K15 minutes walk
Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha)One of Bangkok's oldest and largest temples, directly south of the Grand Palace 16 minutes walk
Museum SiamA modern interactive museum opened in 2007 in the old Ministry of Commerce build19 minutes walk
Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)The Temple of Dawn, one of Bangkok's best-known symbols, on the west bank of the20 minutes walkIt is the best place to understand Thai history, and the old palace halls are lovely in themselves. For a lighter, interactive visit, nearby Museum Siam suits better.