Bangkok National Museum: Treasures of Siam and Guided Tours

Updated on October 1, 2026

The Bangkok National Museum occupies the former Front Palace (Wang Na), residence of the vice-kings of Siam, between the Sanam Luang field and Thammasat University, a few minutes' walk from the Grand Palace. Founded in 1874 by King Chulalongkorn to display his father's collections, it moved into the palace in 1887 and is now run by the Fine Arts Department. Its pavilions trace the history and art of Thailand from prehistory to the Bangkok period, with sculpture from across Southeast Asia, thrones, palanquins and royal funeral chariots. The museum is open Wednesday to Sunday from 8:30 am to 4 pm; admission costs 240 THB for foreign visitors. Allow at least 2 to 3 hours: the buildings are spread out across a large garden.

Highlights

The Buddhaisawan Chapel

Built in 1787 to house the Phra Buddha Sihing, one of the most revered Buddha images in the country, the chapel is covered in murals telling the life of the Buddha. Take off your shoes at the entrance.

The Phra Buddha Sihing

This seated Buddha in gilded bronze, in Sukhothai-Lanna style, is carried out of the chapel each year at Thai New Year (Songkran) so that worshippers can sprinkle it with water.

The royal funeral chariots hall

The great Phra Maha Phichai Ratcharot chariot, built in 1795 under King Rama I, is about 18 metres long and is still used for royal cremations. It is displayed with other chariots and palanquins in carved and gilded wood.

The Ram Khamhaeng stele and the art galleries

In the Sukhothai Room of the Prasat Phiphitthaphan building, Ram Khamhaeng Inscription no. 1, added to UNESCO's Memory of the World Register in 2003, bears one of the oldest inscriptions in Thai script. The neighbouring rooms show sculpture from Srivijaya, Java and Lanna.

Infos pratiques

Tips

Admission 240 THB for foreign visitors, 30 THB for Thai nationals (prices checked in October 2026); ticket sales end at 3:30 pm. The National Museum Volunteers, a volunteer association founded in 1969, run free guided tours (only admission is charged) on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 9:30 am, in English, French and Japanese, plus German on Wednesdays; meet at the ticket office, no booking needed. The tour is a good introduction to Thai history, art and Buddhism. Some rooms may close at lunchtime. The Buddhaisawan Chapel is a place of worship: cover shoulders and knees, and remove your shoes.

How to get there

Na Phra That Road, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, on the edge of Sanam Luang, next to Thammasat University. Chao Phraya Express Boat to Tha Chang pier, then about 900 metres on foot. MRT (Blue Line) to Sanam Chai station, exit 1, then bus 32. Buses 3, 6, 9, 32, 44 and 80.