The Bangkok National Museum

As essential to Bangkok as its temples, the National Museum is one of the city’s greatest cultural landmarks. It was founded in 1874 by King Rama V, who had just come to the throne and wanted a place to preserve and display the private collections of his father, King Rama IV. At first the museum was housed inside the Grand Palace, but in 1887 it moved here, into the former palace of the vice king, known as Wang Na. Ever since, its collections have continued to grow. Today the museum’s three main wings take visitors on a journey through Thai history, from prehistory right up to the early twentieth century. The galleries showcase everything from delicate archaeological finds to grand Buddhist sculptures and exquisite examples of Thai art. Highlights include elegant statues from the golden age of Sukhothai and the massive royal funeral chariot once used in ceremonies for Thai kings. With its extraordinary depth and scale, the Bangkok National Museum is regarded as the largest and most important museum of its kind in all of Southeast Asia.