National Museum

On Na Phra That Road, on the West side. of Sanam Luang, the National Museum is the largest museum in Southeast Asia and an excellent place to learn ething about Thai art. The Museum, founded 1874 by King Rama V, is housed in the Palace of Wang Na, originally home to the Second King and part of the Grand Palace. The visit starts With a useful introduction to Thai history. Note the black-stone inscription from Sukhothai, the oldest-known record of the Thai alphabet. Two large modern buildings house the main collection of pre-Thailand Thai sculpture, as well as pieces from elsewhere in Asia. An important exhibit in the southern wing is one of the earliest images of the Buddha from Gandhara in India, clearly influenced by classical Greek sculpture. A garage in a nearby building houses the collection of magnificent royal funeral chariots. Vejayant Rajarot is 'still used even though it needs 300 men to pull it.

Free English-language tours of the museum arc given by National Museum volunteers on Wednesdays (Buddhism) and Thursdays (Thai art, religion and culture), starting from 09:30. Thest gaided tours are excellent and Manny people have written to recommend them. The tours are also conducted in German
(Thursdays), French ( Wednesdays ) and Japanese ( Wednesdays ). For more information : contact the volunteers (Telephone 215-8173). The Museum is Open from 09:00 to 16:00 wednesday to Sunday admission is 20 Bath.

Palace of Wang Na : Built in the 1780's as a home for the king's successor, the palace houses a magnificent collection of Thai art objects. The lovely Red House belongs to Princess Si Sudarak and retains her period furnishings.

Buddhai Sawan Chapel : Phra Bhudda Sihing in this chapel is said to have been divinely created in Sri Lanka and sent to Sukhothai in the 13th century. Despite doubts about its origins it actually dates from the 15th century. It is still worshipped by many and is carried in procession at the Thai New Year. The fine murals around it tell the stories of the Buddha's lives.

Royal Barge Museum

The Royal Barges are fantastically ornamented boats used in ceremonial processions on the river. The largest is fifty metres long and requires a rowing crew of fifty, plus seven umbrella bearers, two helmsmen, two navigators, a flagman, a rhythm-keeper and chanter. The barges are kept in sheds on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River. They are on . Khlong Bangkok Noi, near the Phra Pinklao Bridge. Suphannahong, the king's personal barge, is the most importan t of the boats. One of the best time to see the fleet in action on the river is during the royal Kathin ceremony at the end of Phansa, the Buddhist rains retreat ending with an October to November new moon, when new robes are offered to the monastic contingent.

The barge shed is open daily from 08:30 to 16:30 and admission i5 10 baht. To get there, take a Berry to Tha Rot Fai, then walk down the streel parallel to the railway tracks until you come to a bridge over the khlong (canal). Follow the bridge to a wooden walkway that leads to the barge sheds. You can also get there by taking a khlong taxi for 5 baht, up the canal and getting oil near the bridge.

Museum of the Royal Support Project f at Aphisek Dusit Palace

Situated at the back of Anandhasmakhom Palace within the same compound of Wiman Mek Palace, the Palace Itself was graciously established by King. Rama V of Siam in 1904. His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej has graciously granted Royal permission to restore and reconstruct the Aphisek Dusit Palace into a museum which displays exquisite arts and crafts generated by members of the RoyalSupport Project under the. Royal patronage of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The most outstanding decorations of the Palace is the finely carved teakwood similar to t of the Victorian - style wood carving in England. Inside t muse.u.m a wide variety of exquisite handincrafts are displayed, e.g. silverware, go and silve inlaid vessels handwoven textiles, embroidered materials gold and silver nielloware and fine artworks made of the sparkling green wings of Buprestid beatle, etc.

The museum opens daily between 10:00 and 16:00, except for official holidays. The admission fee is ayded in the fee for entering the Wiman Mek Palace. For more information please telephone 281-8803, or 281-8824.

National Gallery

Graciously inaugurated on August 8, 1977 by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the National gallery is located at the foot of Phra Pin Klao Bridge, on the opposite side of the National Theatre. The National Gallery compiles and displays both classical and temporary arts of renowned Thai artists for those who are interested in art appreciation or study. His Majesty the King's oil paintings are also. exhibited to be appreciated by the public. The gallery opens daily except Mondays, Tuesday and official holidays from 09:0 to 16:00 hours. Admission fee: for Thais and foreigners are 5 baht and IO baht respectivelj School children or students in uniform do not have to pay bu group study tours need to be notified in writing. For more information please contact Tel.281-2639

Museum of Pottery

The museum building is a private house by the river which features a fine collection of ancient potteries including theexquisite Benjarong or fivecolored porcelains. It is situated at the back of Fine ArtsCollege, next door to Thammasat University. Interested persons may visit the premises in group tours by prior arrangement with Swait-Sopha Foundation which is located at House 5, Phra Athii Road (Telephone 224-1373, 224-1388) during official houi Admission fees for Thais and foreigners are 20 baht and 50 baht respectively.

Museum of Sciences and Planetarium

Situated at Ekkamai area of Sukhurnvit Road, the museum is the centre for demonstrating and disseminating . knowledge in sciences and astrology. Among special events organised are periodic exhibitions, movies, lectures and discussions in subject matters related to sciences and astrology.

The museum is open during weekdays from 09:00 to 16:00 hours. Admission fees for adults and children are 10 baht and three baht respectively. Within the same compound there is a planetarium for solar system studies which opens for the public from Tuesdavs to Sundays between 08:00 and 14:30 hours, except Mondays and official holidays. Admission fees for adults and children are 10 baht and three baht respectively. For more details please telephone 392-5952 or 390-2301.

Museum of Photography

This was the first museum of camera and photographs ever established in Asia. Situated at the Department of photographic Science and Printing Technology of the Faculty of Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, this museum features a collection of old photographs and related legends including camera and photographic apparatus which were used in the olden days. In addition there are displays on the progress in three-dimension photography, electronic drawings and chronological development of printing and colour separation technologies.

The museum opens for the public every Saturday between 10:00 and 16:00 hours. Admission fees for adults, students and foreign tourists are 20 baht, 10 baht and 100 baht respectively. Group tours may be conducted on Thursdays with prior arrangement. For more information please telephone 251-1913.

House of Bangkok Dolls and International Doll Museum

Located within Soi Ratchataphan (Soi Mor Leng) of Ratcha Prarop Road, Makasan area of Ratchathewi District, the House of Bangkok Dolls displays a large collection of dolls from various countries of the world including Bangkok dolls of different types like dolls dressed in classical theatrical outfits representing character from the Ramayana; tribal people in various parts of the country; people of different professions;cuddly dolls for children, etc. House of Bangkok Dolls opens for the public daily from 08:00 to 17:00 hours, except on Sundays and official holidays. No admission fee is required. For more information please telephone 245-3008 or 245-2512