Rating: 4.3/5 (4 votes)

Open Days: Wednesday – Sunday (Closed Monday – Tuesday)

Opening Hours: 09:00 – 16:00

 

The National Gallery is a Bangkok art stop in a spot that’s “easy to reach, but easy to walk past.” The building sits beside Phra Pinklao Bridge on Chao Fa Road, in the Chana Songkhram area that neatly links Phra Athit–Bang Lamphu–Sanam Luang. If you want a half-day plan without bouncing between too many locations, this is a good place to start—to pause for a moment and read Bangkok through art instead of reading it through traffic.

 

At its core, the gallery functions as a place to collect and exhibit works by Thai artists across different eras—from classical, tradition-rooted Thai art to international contemporary styles shaped by changing ideas and storytelling methods. The fun of walking here isn’t only “which painting is pretty,” but watching how Thai art has evolved its own language: the use of color, composition, and the themes artists choose to speak about in each period.

 

Another reason the National Gallery is worth revisiting is its mix of exhibitions and rotating programs, which means each visit doesn’t have to feel the same. You might encounter standout works that act as a “starting marker” for people getting to know Thai art, or you might find a more specialized exhibition that reveals angles you’ve never really noticed—like how art relates to the city, Thailand’s shared memories, or the technical details that make an image feel “alive” beyond what the eye sees at first glance.

 

Before you go, it’s worth knowing this clearly: at the moment, the gallery is temporarily closed for renovations in the “Permanent Exhibition Building” and the “Art Exhibition of the Reign of King Rama IX.” However, visitors can still enter via Rotating Exhibition Building 4 and Rotating Exhibition Building 6. So the trip still works and you won’t be wasting your time—you’ll simply focus mainly on the rotating exhibitions during this period.

 

If you’re coming specifically to see “oil paintings by King Rama IX,” it’s a good idea to adjust expectations slightly. The relevant exhibition section has been temporarily closed as part of the renovation plan. For now, the most practical approach is to come for the rotating exhibitions as your main focus and pair it with a walk around the old-town atmosphere. That way, the visit still feels worthwhile without the uncertainty of whether a particular room will be accessible on the day.

 

The gallery’s atmosphere is generally quiet and calm, ideal for people who want to view art without rushing. A comfortable visit for most people is around 1–2 hours, but if you like studying details and reading gallery descriptions carefully, you can extend your time without getting bored. With this kind of art viewing, the slower you go, the more you notice.

 

Getting There Public buses are a convenient option—you can get off around Phra Athit Road or Chakrabongse Road and continue on foot. Buses along Phra Athit Road commonly include lines 6, 9, 15, 19, 30, 32, 33, 53, 64, 65, as well as the Airport Bus. Along Chakrabongse Road (Bang Lamphu–Wat Chana Songkhram area), you’ll often find lines 3, 30, 32, 43, 64, 65. If you drive, remember that parts of the old-town area operate as one-way streets. A common approach is to enter via Bang Lamphu into Chakrabongse Road, keep to the right to reach Chao Fa Road. If coming from Thonburi, cross Phra Pinklao Bridge, exit onto Chao Fa Road, then loop in toward the gallery via nearby U-turn points depending on traffic. You can also take the Chao Phraya Express Boat, get off at Phra Athit Pier, and walk to Chao Fa Road—a solid choice if you want to avoid road congestion.

 

To make a half-day route feel complete, after viewing the exhibitions you can walk toward Santichaiprakarn Park and Phra Sumen Fort to catch the riverside breeze, then find a meal around Phra Athit Road or Bang Lamphu. It’s a nice loop that gives you art, old-town streets, and a riverside mood without demanding a long walk.

 

In the end, if you’re looking for a Bangkok attraction that “teaches without forcing you to be serious,” the National Gallery is a strong choice—especially on days when you want to walk slowly, let your mind settle, and leave with a fresh impression of how Thai art has moved through different eras.

 

 

A: Yes. Visitors can enter via Rotating Exhibition Buildings 4 and 6. The Permanent Exhibition Building is temporarily closed for renovations.

 

A: The latest announcement lists Wednesday–Sunday, 09:00–16:00, and closed Monday–Tuesday.

 

A: The Art Exhibition of the Reign of King Rama IX is temporarily closed for renovations. It’s best to check the latest announcement before you go and plan to focus on the rotating exhibitions for this visit.

 

A: Around 1–2 hours is a comfortable visit. If you like viewing details and reading descriptions carefully, you can easily stay longer.

 

A: Yes. Cross Phra Pinklao Bridge and exit toward Chao Fa Road, then loop in toward the gallery depending on traffic and nearby U-turn points.