Museums
The National Gallery Museum (พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติ หอศิลป) is the former location of the Royal Thai Mint and exhibits collections of both traditional Thai and contemporary art famous by painters and sculptors of Thailand. A number of oil paintings made by His Majesty the King in his earlier years are exhibited here.
The National Museum (พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติ พระนคร) is housed in former palace of the Wang Na or second king – Kromphraratchawangbowon Mahasurasinghanat – the designated heir to the throne in former years. Built simultaneously with the Grand Palace for Rama I's brother, the complex contains several major throne halls: the Phra Thinang Siwamok Phiman, the Phra Thinang Phutthaisawan, the and Phra Thinang Itsara Winitchai.
Suan Pakkad Palace (วังสวนผักกาด) is a complex of five Thai-style houses was once the residence of one of Thailand’s leading art collectors, Prince Chumbhot of Nagara Svarga. It contains an extensive collection of Asian art and antiques, including items from the prehistoric Ban Chiang civilisation, and an impressive collection of rare seashells. The Khon (classical Thai masked dance) Museum and the Traditional Thai Music Museum are also located here.
The Vimanmek Mansion Museum (พระที่นั่งวิมานเมฆ) is the world’s largest golden teak. It was built on Koh Chang island by King Rama V, but was moved to the compound of the Dusit Palace on Ratchawithi Road when 19th century French imperialists threatened the original location. The three-story royal mansion has 81 rooms, halls and ante-chambers, all containing royal memorabilia from the fifth reign. Royally-sponsored Thai art masterpieces are also on display near Vimanmek at the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall (พระที่นั่งอนันตสมาคม) as part of the 'Arts of the Kingdom' exhibition.
The Siriraj Medical Museum, located in the Siriraj Hospital on the west bank of the Chao Praya, is a large six-section medical museum with diverse exhibits on medicine in general, forensic medicine, and the history and present state of medical profession in Thailand. Often overlooked by tourists, the exhibits are a valuable resource for both medical professionals and interested laymen.
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Famous quotes containing the word museums:
“In museums and palaces we are alternate radicals and conservatives.”
—Henry James (1843–1816)
“Museums are just a lot of lies, and the people who make art their business are mostly imposters.... We have infected the pictures in museums with all our stupidities, all our mistakes, all our poverty of spirit. We have turned them into petty and ridiculous things.”
—Pablo Picasso (1881–1973)