Cultural Attractions
The Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall
 The Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall is a two-storey white marble building constructed during the reign of King Rama V. Ordered to be built by the King and designed by Italian architects, the magnificent dome building features the exquisite renaissance architecture.
It once served as the site of the National Assembly and was used to receive state guests. Now, some important royal ceremonies and state meetings are held in this hall.
The Museum of the 5th Festival of Arts of the Kingdom
 The result of the 5th Festival of Arts of the Kingdom held in late December 2007 is very promising. The masterpiece handiwork created by adult children of agricultural families, who learned Thai artistic skills from the Chitralada Arts and Crafts Centre under H.M. the Queen’s Royal Patronage, received great admiration from Thais and foreigners alike.
Therefore, a permanent exhibition is now on display in the Museum of the 5th Festival of Arts of the Kingdom located in The Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall. Examples of the delicate works shown here are The Model of Sri Suphannahongse Royal Barge, The Gold Niello Bhudthan Throne, The Gold Damascene Bhudthan Throne, and The Embroidered “Himavan Forest” Screen.
Open: Tuesday-Saturday (10.00-20.00 hrs)
Closed on New Year and Songkran Days
Admission Fee: 150 Baht
Accessible by Buses 503, 23, 72, 509, 16, 18, 70, 505
Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre
 On the auspicious occasion of the 60th anniversary of H.M. King Bhumibol’s accession to the throne in 2006, Sala Chalermkrung Foundation, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, and the Crown Property Bureau jointly organized “Sala Chalermkrung Khon Project” to follow the King’s footsteps in preserving Thai heritage and sharing it with the rest of the world. Khon or Thai Classical Masked Dance Drama is the acme of Thai dramatic arts, which usually draws its stories from the Indian epic Ramayana.
In 1932, Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre was ordered to be constructed by King Rama VII as a memorable gift to the Thais on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the founding of Bangkok. The official opening was on Sunday 2 July 1933 when the first talking movie was first shown in Thailand.
Apart from being Southeast Asia’s first air-conditioned cinema, Sala Chalermkrung, has been serving as a national venue for exhibiting breathtaking performances and exhibitions to maintain the authenticity of Thai arts and culture for more than 70 years. And now it is proud to present Thailand’s exquisite masked dance drama to foreign visitors. English subtitles are available on screen above the stage and the explanatory notes of the movements and masks are displayed on film prior to the showtime.
Show times: Every Friday/Saturday at 7.30 p.m.
Ticket prices: 1,000 and 1,200 Baht
Buses: 73 (from Siam Square)4, 46, 507 (from Rama IV Rd.) 507 (from Pin Klao)
Bang Khunphrom Palace & The Bank of Thailand Museum
 The palace was once the residence of H.R.H. Prince Baripatra Sukhumbhand, the 33rd son of King Rama V. The construction of the main building (or tamnak yai) was finished in 1906 before another building called tamnak somdet was built to be the residence of his mother, H.M. Queen Sukhumala Marasri. Different ages of building resulted in different art styles of the whole palace. But they magically created the stunning impression for the beholders.
After the political transformation in 1932, the prince and his family moved to Bandung, Indonesia and Bang Khunphrom palace was turned into the offices for several organizations. Since 1992, the palace has become the Bank of Thailand National Museum featuring the prince’s life, the history of the central bank and Thai and foreign currencies.
To admire the beauty of the palace, visitors are welcomed in groups only and please contact the museum one week in advance of the intended visit.
Open Monday-Friday 9.30-16.00 hrs.
Admission fee No admission fee
Buses 3, 9, 30, 32, 33, 43, 64, 506
Bangkok Art & Culture Centre
 Location: Pathumwan Intersection, opposite MBK Center
Bangkok Art & Culture Centre collects and displays a wide variety of art works including Thai and international contemporary art. Its dark cylindrical building helps preserve the art works from bright day light. Inside, the spiral staircase conveniently and continuously leads visitors to appreciate the works that are exhibited in each floor of this 9-storey building.
The centre features areas for the arts of all media, theatres, multipurpose rooms, a public library, and parking. In addition, an art market is regularly held in front of the building every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Some art events are currently organized here before its official opening on Dec 12, 2008.
For more information, call 0 2214 6630-1.
Open Daily, 10.00 – 21.00 hrs except Mon.
Admission fee None (except for some special exhibitions)
Buses 11, 16, 21, 25, 29, 34, 36, 47, 50, 54, 65, 79, 93, 141, 204, 501
BTS Siam Station or National Stadium Station
National Museum
 Na Phrathat Road
Established in 1926 in the reign of King Rama VII, it is located within walking distance of the Grand Palace next to Thammasat University, this is the largest and most comprehensive museum in Southeast Asia. It contains an 18th century palace and a group of well-designed buildings, housing Thailand's artistic treasures from prehistoric to contemporary.
The National Museum houses three permanent exhibition galleries as follows:
1. The Thai History Gallery
2. The Archaeological & Art History Collections
3. The Decorative Arts & Ethnological Collections
Tours conducted at 9.30 hrs. daily -- in English (on Wed and Thur), French (Wed and Thur), German (Thur) and Japanese (Wed).
For more information, call 0 2224 1333.
Open Daily, 09.00 - 16.00 hrs. except Mon, Tue and public holidays
Admission fee 40 baht
Buses 3, 15, 30, 32, 39, 53, 59, 70, 201
King Prajadhipok Museum
 Location: Near Phanfa Lilat Bridge, Lan Luang Road
The neoclassic building of the museum was built in 1906, towards the end of King Rama V's reign. Designed by a Western architect, the three-storey concrete edifice is decorated with Greco-Roman motifs and reliefs with a dome-shaped tower topping its front hall. It was originally known as the John Sampson Store, selling Western clothing and custom-made suits.
In 1933, the Public Works Department took over the building as its headquarters. In 2001, King Prajadhipok Institute received the sanction of the Public Works Department for use of the building as the museum.
Permanent Exhibition Halls
 Located on the 2nd and 3rd floors, the halls display the royal regalia and personal effects of King Prajadhipok (Rama VII) and photographs, documents and films concerning the King's life and the two historic events, in which the King played a leading role -- the 1932 Revolution and the Conferment of the first Constitution of Thailand.
Besides, there are a temporary exhibition room and a museum shop on the first floor.
For more information, call 0 2280 3413 to 4
Open 09.00 - 16.00 hrs., Tuesday - Sunday
Admission fee 40 baht
Museum of Siam
 Location: Sanam Chai Road, next to Phra Ratchawang Police Station and opposite Ratchabophit School
The Museum of Siam, opened in April 2008, is interesting in its modern style and colourful presentations that narrate the whole story about Thainess. The museum’s beautiful neoclassic style building was once the Office of the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Commerce. The museum’s latest technologies made your visit more exciting.
There are many things to see, read, listen to, think about and do. Intellectual interactive games and presentations are installed for the stimulating effects upon the visitors. The exhibition is divided into 16 rooms telling stories from the Suvarnabhumi period, the Siamese period, the Thailand period to Thailand Tomorrow. Besides, one additional section which is behind the information counter is dedicated to the history of the building itself.
For more information, call: 0 2622 2599
Open 10.00-18.00 hrs. Tuesday-Sunday
Admission During its opening phase, the admission is free. (Please recheck before going)
Buses: 3, 9, 12, 32, 44, 47, 53, 82, 524
National Theatre
Location : Na Phrathat Road
It is located next to the National Museum near Sanam Luang Ground. The theatre features performances of khon, a Thai mask dance drama, on the first Saturday and Sunday of every month, at 13.30 and 17.00 hours. And on the last Friday of every month at 17.00 hours, Sisuk Nattakam Group of the Fine Arts Department stages lakhon, another type of Thai classical dance drama.
Interested persons please check the programme at tel. 0 2224 1342 or 0 2221 8191.
Buses 3, 15, 30, 32, 39, 53, 59, 70, 201
Traditional Thai Puppet Theatre (Joe Louis)
 Location : Suanlum Night Bazaar, Rama IV Road
Joe Louis Puppet Theatre, the last of the kingdom’s traditional Thai small puppets troupe, was awarded the “Best Traditional Performance Award” from among competitors from 44 countries over the world at the 10th World Festival of Puppet Art held in Prague, Czech Republic, from 1 to 10 June 2006. The troupe presented the award to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the auspicious occasion of the 60th Anniversary of His Majesty’s Accession to the Throne.
The troupe won the prize with its performance of “the Myth of Rahu and the Lunar Eclipse”, a lively tale based on Thailand’s ancient belief that a lunar eclipse was caused by a demon who swallowed the moon.
On 2 June 2008, a mesmerizing performance, “the Birth of Ganesha”, by the Thai Puppet troupe (Joe Louis Puppet Theatre), won the Best Performance Award, the highest acclaim of this year, at the 12th World Festival of Puppet Art 2008, held in Prague, the Czech Republic, with 25 troupes from 17 countries competing in the final round.
 This is the second award that the troupe received after winning “the Best Traditional Performance” Award in 2006.
The show narrates the birth of “Ganesha”, a Hindu god of success and arts and about the struggle to maintain peace in the three terrains of the earth according to Hindu cosmology.
The Joe Louis puppet play is performed by each puppet being controlled jointly by three puppeteers with all of whom appearing on stage with the puppet thereby creating highly animated, life-like movements. This enables the puppets to move or dance gracefully.
The Joe Louis Puppet Theatre is the only troupe of Thai theatrical puppeteers in existence. The performance is a showcase for Thailand’s cultural heritage and reflects the unstinting efforts of the troupe to preserve this exotic art form.
Interested persons should make reservations in advance, tel. 0 2252 9683 to 4., 0 2252 5227 to 9 #101-104
Show time Daily 19.30 - 21.00 hrs.
Ticket fee Adults and children (over 120 cm height): 900 B Children (not over 120 cm height): 300 B
Buses 50, 14, 47, 17, 115
BTS Skytrain Saladaeng station, then bus no. 115
MRT Metro Silom station, then bus no. 115
The Queen's Gallery
 Location : Ratchadamnoen Klang Road (near Phanfa Bridge)
The Queen's Gallery Foundation was established in August 2003 in response to the gracious wish of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit to provide a permanent home for the exhibition of a wide range of Thai visual arts especially paintings and sculpture.
This five-storey building displays the following works of art:
• Paintings and works of art by young artists and artists from the SUPPORT Foundation and embroidery designs
• Paintings and sculptures by His Majesty the King and members of the royal family
• Paintings by National artists and contemporary masters
Visitors can enjoy shopping for souvenirs especially designed by leading Thai artists, T-shirts, postcards, posters and books at The Gallery Shop.
For more information, call 0 2281 5360 to 1.
Open Daily 10.00 - 19.00 hrs., except Wednesdays
Admission fee 20 baht
Suan Pakkad Palace
 Location : On Si Ayutthaya Road
Suan Pakkad Palace, built by Prince and Princess Chumbhot of Nakhon Sawan, consists of five traditional Thai houses overlooking a beautiful garden. They were moved from Chiang Mai in 1952. The palace, which has been turned into a museum, displays works of art, antiques and everyday objects such as perfume bottles, betel-nut boxes and musical instruments.
Ban Chiang House The house keeps pottery and bronze jewellery discovered at Ban Chiang, an important Bronze Age settlement in Northeastern Thailand, dating from around 1666 to 500 B.C. The ground floor houses a large collection of minerals and sea shells.
Lacquer Pavilion The remarkable gold and black lacquer murals exhibiting here depict events from the life of the Buddha and the Ramayana epic. For more information, call 0 2245 4934, 0 2245 6368
Open Daily, 09.00 - 16.00 hrs.
Admission fee 100 baht
Buses 14, 17, 18, 38, 58, 62, 72, 77, 79
Khamthieng House
 Location : Siam Society on Asok Road (Sukhumwit 21)
Located in the compound of the Siam Society on Asok Road, this authentic northern Thai teak house was built in Chiang Mai in 1848. It was moved in perfect condition to Bangkok in 1963 in order to keep a specimen of the Lanna Thai style architecture for the younger generations.
Khamthieng House: On display are equipment and tools used daily by farmers and fishermen in the North.
Tel. 0 2260 2830 to 2
Open Daily, 09.00 - 17.00 hrs. except Sunday and Monday
Admission fee 100 baht
Buses 38, 98, 136
Thailand Cultural Center
Location : Ratchadaphisek Road
This is an ideal place to view all forms of cultural performances, both national and international. Symphony orchestra concerts are also held here regularly. In the large area of the centre, there are information office and rooms for organizing seminars, conferences, and other activities related to education and culture. Besides, the centre has a hall featuring a permanent exhibition on the history of the Thai people, their lifestyles and culture. Interested persons may inquire about the performance programmes at tel. 0 2247 0028 or 0 2247 3201.
Open Monday - Friday, 09.30 - 16.30 hrs.
Buses 73, 136, 137, 206
Jim Thompson's House
 Location : On Soi Kasemsan off Rama I Road
This remarkable Thai-style wooden house once belonged to the late Mr. Jim Thompson, an American silk entrepreneur. The house, now a museum, displays Mr. Thompson's splendid collection of Asian artefacts and antiques.
Tel 0 2216 7368
Open Daily, 09.00 - 17.30 hrs.
Admission fee 100 baht
Buses 11, 15, 47, 48, 73, 93
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