10 Museums to Explore in Bangkok

The Bangkokian Museum is a trio of restored heritage houses standing in the cool shade of surrounding trees. The Bangkokian Museum displays what upper-middle-class homes looked like in Bangkok during the early to the mid-20th century. Despite being in a very busy area of Bangkok, the gardens are a peaceful haven. The museum was bequeathed to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration by its previous owner.

Jim Thompson House is the former home of the late James H.W. Thompson, an American businessman who dedicated over 30 years of his life to reviving Thai silk in the 1950s. The lovely garden-enclosed compound sits on the bank of the Saen Saeb Canal and houses 6 traditional Thai teakwood houses transported from Ayutthaya and Ban Krua Silk Village. It’s a museum and art centre showcasing Thompson’s collection of Asian antiques and Thai silk.

Baan Kamthieng House Museum is located just next to Asoke, one of the busiest junctions on Sukhumvit. The setting of this renovated teak house feels more like the northern Thai village where it originated rather than the middle of a concrete jungle, surrounded by towering hotels, condos and in the shadow of Terminal 21 shopping center.

Museum Siam is a discovery museum that is located at Sanam Chai road in Bangkok, Thailand. The museum was established in 2007 in the former building of the Ministry of Commerce. It was created to teach the national identity and history of the people of Thailand, and their relationships with neighboring cultures. The museum shows the development of Thailand from the past to the present. It is one of the key attractions in Bangkok.

The National Gallery is an art gallery and one of Thailand's national museums. It is located on Chao Fa Road in Bangkok's historic Phra Nakhon District, and is housed in the building of the former Royal Thai Mint. The gallery's collections range from traditional Thai art to the Western-influenced portraiture of the 19th century and modern and contemporary works.

The Bangkok National Museum displays Thailand’s largest collection of local art and artefacts. Founded by King Rama V, the museum occupies the former 18th-century Wang Na Palace in Phra Nakhon. It’s within walking distance of Wat Phra Kaew and The Grand Palace, so you can easily combine a day trip to these spots while in Bangkok.

The Royal Barges Museum is where we can discover 8 of the country's most unique and stunning vessels: the Royal Barges. These boats a reserved for auspicious ceremonies and state occasions like the very rare Royal Barge Procession, and have only made an appearance on the water about 16 times in the last 65 years. It is one of the majestic tourist attractions in Thailand.

The Siriraj Medical Museum, nicknamed the Museum of Death, is a medical museum in Bangkok, Thailand. Siriraj Medical Museum is open to the public and is a valuable resource for medical professionals and students. This museum consists of seven small medical museums:Siriraj Bimuksthan Museum, Ellis Pathological Museum, Congdon Anatomical Museum, Songkran Niyomsan Forensic Medicine Museum, Parasitological Museum, Touch Museum in Honor of Queen Mother Sirikit, and Sood Sangvichien Prehistoric Museum

A museum and the former residence of a royal family, the Suan Pakkad Palace is a true gem in the midst of Bangkok. Only a handful of visitors seem to come here at a time. But those who stumble upon it will be pleasantly surprised. The hidden oasis is home to a stunning collection of Thai antiquities and artifacts.

Erawan Museum in Samut Prakan near Bangkok is a striking monument, not to be confused with the famous Erawan Shrine in downtown Bangkok. This gigantic three-headed elephant built on a pedestal stands 44 metres above one side of the expressway.The Erawan Museum was designed and built in 2003 by Lek Viriyaphant, a rich businessman who also designed the famous ‘Sanctuary of Truth’.