Suksasom Museum

Rating: 5/5 (1 votes)

Open Days: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday – Sunday (Closed on Wednesday)

Opening Hours: 10:00 – 18:00 (Please check the latest announcement before visiting)

 

Suksasom Museum is a hidden gem on Phutthamonthon Sai 2 in Bangkok that turns the idea of “collectibles” into something bigger than rarity or age. Here, objects aren’t displayed just to be admired — they are arranged as stories, letting you trace real rhythms of Thai life across different eras in a way you can actually feel. Behind the collection is a devoted collector known as “Hia Meng” (Mr. Chairot Charoenthawisith), who created this space so younger generations can learn while still having a genuinely enjoyable visit.

 

The charm of a museum like this is that it invites you to “remember” rather than “memorize.” Many items look like things people once saw in a grandparent’s home, a neighborhood mom-and-pop shop, or childhood memories. When placed together, they don’t only show what the past looked like — they reveal how people thought, how they lived, and how they gradually adapted to change. If you take your time, you’ll notice evolution in materials, shapes, design, and even advertising language on labels, which can describe Thai society in each period more sharply than you might expect.

 

The museum is organized into 5 main zones. If you want to enjoy the walk even more, try a simple “game” in your head: pick one category you like and look for differences across eras through small details. This keeps your visit from becoming a quick glance at cabinets and turns it into a real observation of how the world shifts through everyday objects that were once in real people’s hands.

 

The first zone focuses on the evolution of vintage toys, from old-time classics to more modern pieces, including items that are decades old and, in some cases, close to a century. It makes one thing clear: children’s happiness looked different in each era, but the heart of it stayed the same — curiosity and the joy of play. Next comes the everyday-life zone, showcasing how people lived through objects such as old clocks, home telephones, large radios, record players, along with colorful tiffin carriers and household ceramics. One highlight many visitors linger over is the story of an early Thai typewriter, reflecting a time when Siam was pushing toward modern documentation systems — and showing how a single tool could change everyday life in ways we take for granted today.

 

Another zone that’s both informative and surprisingly fun is the printing-and-media zone, which reflects Thai society across different reigns and connects to the world of everyday packaging — toothpaste boxes, shampoo containers, detergent packaging, and more. It helps you see how advertising language and sales methods differed from today. This area often answers small questions people never realized they had, such as why certain household goods were once referred to as “medicine” in everyday language, and why earlier consumers needed sellers to explain how to use new chemical products before they felt confident trying them.

 

The traditional-occupations zone highlights the struggle and endurance of working life, especially stories tied to trade and labor among Chinese immigrant communities, alongside evocative objects like a “carrying yoke cabinet” used by hawkers who walked deep into neighborhoods to sell goods. The final zone recreates the atmosphere of an old marketplace, complete with nostalgic shopfront scenes. It’s a favorite for photos because it delivers a playful retro vibe — turning the visit into both a learning trip and a content-friendly visual experience.

 

Overall, Suksasom Museum works beautifully for families who want children to encounter real objects that spark natural questions, and for anyone who wants a slower, calmer day away from the city’s pace. If you give it at least half a day, you’ll leave with both enjoyment and insight — and a warm feeling that the past isn’t far away at all. We just don’t pause to look very often.

 

Getting There If you are coming from Borommaratchachonnani Road (Pinklao – Taling Chan), use the frontage road and watch for the turn into Phutthamonthon Sai 2. Drive straight for about 2.2 km; the museum is on the right-hand side of the road. You can usually drive past and make a U-turn at the next suitable point. For public transport, the simplest approach is to get off on a main road in the Borommaratchachonnani/Phutthamonthon Sai 2 area and then take a taxi or motorcycle taxi in, because this zone is generally most convenient by private car.

 

 

A: It is generally open on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday – Sunday and closed on Wednesday. Please check the latest announcement before you go.

 

A: The usual hours are 10:00 – 18:00. For a relaxed visit with time to read and explore, plan about 1.5 – 3 hours.

 

A: Many visitors love the vintage toys zone, the everyday-objects zone, and the old market scene, because you get both learning and great retro photo moments.

 

A: Yes. Children usually enjoy guessing what each object is used for and then reading the explanations, which makes learning feel natural and fun.

 

A: The easiest approach is to reach a main road in the Borommaratchachonnani/Phutthamonthon Sai 2 area first, then take a taxi or motorcycle taxi to the museum.