Home
Chiang Mai(
National Museum Bangkok (Phra Nakhon)
Rating: 3.5/5 (4 votes)
Search By 
Map 
Have Map 
No MapBangkok attractions
Attractions in Thailand
Open Days: Wednesday – Sunday (closed Monday – Tuesday and on public holidays)
Opening Hours: 09:00 – 16:00 (it’s best to arrive at least 1 – 2 hours before closing so you can explore properly)
National Museum Bangkok (Phra Nakhon) is one of those Bangkok history spots where you meet Thailand’s heritage in its most honest form – no staging needed. This isn’t just a museum that places antiques behind glass to look pretty; it’s a historic site with its own deep past, dating back to the era of the Front Palace (Wang Na). It also sits right in the cultural heart of the old city around Sanam Luang and Na Phra That Road, where you can easily spend a full day visiting the museum, a temple, the National Theatre, and soaking up the weight of Bangkok’s old-town atmosphere.
The origins of this place go back to the Front Palace of Prince Maha Sura Singhanat, which was commissioned alongside the Grand Palace. That’s why this area includes several significant royal halls such as Siwamokkhaphiman Hall, Phutthaisawan Hall, and Itsarawinitchai Hall. During the reign of King Rama V, Thailand began establishing a national museum – first at the Sahathai Samakhom Hall under the name “Museum” – before relocating it to the Front Palace complex. Over time, it developed into a national museum known to both Thai visitors and international travelers.
What makes this museum special is the way it lets you “read history” through a wide range of objects and artworks – from fine arts and antiquities to pieces that reflect cultural connections across neighboring countries in the region. Walking through the galleries slowly, you’ll start to see how ideas, craftsmanship, beliefs, and aesthetics evolved across different eras far more clearly than from a summary in a book. If you’re the kind of person who loves details, this is the sort of place where you keep stopping – because almost every display has something that sparks a question or pulls you in for a closer look.
Another thing people enjoy is the surrounding area as a living “cultural district” in a very real sense. Nearby, you’ll find institutions like the School of Fine Arts and Dramatic Arts College, along with the National Theatre. That means your trip doesn’t have to end at the museum doors – it can easily become an old-town walking day with multiple learning stops. Plan your time well, and you’ll feel like you got a full, content-rich day without having to rush across the city.
Beyond the museum itself, you can also visit Wat Bowon Sathan Sutthawat within the Front Palace grounds near the School of Fine Arts. This temple is often called the “Front Palace Emerald Buddha Temple.” It helps complete the picture that Wang Na wasn’t only about administration or royal ceremonies – it was closely tied to religion and the arts. Seeing the temple within the same context as the museum makes the relationship between state, faith, and art in early Bangkok feel instantly clearer without needing a long explanation.
If you want to make the most of your visit, plan for at least 2 – 3 hours and explore with a focus – choose sections you’re most interested in, or break your visit into comfortable chunks so you don’t burn out. Museums like this reward slow walking. Rush through, and it can feel like you just passed by something valuable. Slow down, and you’ll get both the knowledge and the feeling of standing in front of real evidence of the past.
Getting There If you’re coming by public bus, many routes pass through this area, such as 3, 6, 9, 15, 19, 30, 32, 33, 39, 43, 47, 53, 59, 60, 65, 70, 80, 82, 91, 123, 201, 203 and air-conditioned routes such as 1, 8, 25, 506, 507, 512 (it’s best to check the latest route details based on where you’re starting). If you’re using the train, many visitors prefer to connect onward to the Sanam Luang / Na Phra That area and avoid driving into the old town during heavy traffic hours. For taxis, simply pin “National Museum Bangkok” – it’s the clearest destination name for drivers.
| Place Name | National Museum Bangkok (Phra Nakhon) |
| Zone | Bangkok – Sanam Luang – Na Phra That Road (Phra Nakhon District) |
| Location | Front Palace (Wang Na) area, Na Phra That Road, near Sanam Luang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok |
| Highlights | A national-level museum located within the historic Front Palace (Wang Na) complex, showcasing antiquities and cultural heritage from Thailand and the region. The site also features major Front Palace halls such as Siwamokkhaphiman Hall, Phutthaisawan Hall, and Itsarawinitchai Hall. |
| Key Period / Evidence | Originally the Front Palace area from early Rattanakosin; later developed into the National Museum. During King Rama V’s era, a “Museum” was first established before being relocated into the Front Palace complex. |
| Fees | Thai citizens 30 THB / foreign visitors 200 THB (please verify the latest notice before visiting) |
| Facilities | Multiple exhibition buildings within one complex, suitable for learning and research, located within a cultural district (near the National Theatre, Dramatic Arts College, and School of Fine Arts) |
| Current Status | Open during regular operating days and hours (closed Monday – Tuesday and on public holidays) |
| Contact | 095-793-1232 |
| Nearby Attractions (Approx. Distance) | Sanam Luang – 1 km – 02-224-2050 Museum Siam – 3 km – 02-225-2777 Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall – 4 km – 02-621-0044 Wat Phra Chetuphon (Wat Pho) – 4 km – 02-226-0335 The Grand Palace – 4 km – 02-623-5500 |
| Nearby Restaurants (Approx. Distance) | Krua Apsorn (Dinso Road) – 3 km – 02-685-4531 Thipsamai Pad Thai (Pratu Phi) – 4 km – 02-226-6666 Supanniga Eating Room (Tha Tien) – 4 km – 02-015-4224 Savoey (Tha Maharaj) – 3 km – 02-055-6258 The Deck by Arun Residence (Tha Tien) – 4 km – 02-221-9158 |
| Nearby Accommodations (Approx. Distance) | Royal Rattanakosin Hotel – 3 km – 02-222-9111 sala rattanakosin – 4 km – 02-622-1388 Riva Arun Bangkok – 4 km – 02-221-1188 Arun Residence – 4 km – 02-221-9158 Nouvo City Hotel – 3 km – 02-282-7500 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Which days is National Museum Bangkok (Phra Nakhon) open?
A: It is generally open Wednesday – Sunday and closed Monday – Tuesday, including public holidays.
Q: What time does it open, and when is the best time to visit?
A: It is generally open 09:00 – 16:00. For a comfortable visit with time to explore in detail, go in the morning or early afternoon.
Q: How much is the admission fee?
A: It is generally 30 THB for Thai citizens and 200 THB for foreign visitors (please verify the latest announcement before visiting).
Q: Is there a temple inside the museum grounds?
A: Yes. Wat Bowon Sathan Sutthawat, often called the “Front Palace Emerald Buddha Temple,” is located within the Front Palace complex and can be visited alongside the museum.
Q: How much time should I plan for the visit?
A: For a standard visit, plan around 120 – 180 minutes. If you’re exploring in depth, you may want longer.
Tel: 022241370, 022241333
National Museum Bangkok (Phra Nakhon) Map
Category: 
Group: 
Tag: ●National Museum Bangkok (Phra Nakhon)●national museum bangkok ●national museum thailand ●phra nakhon museum ●wang na front palace ●na phra that road ●sanam luang attractions ●thai antiquities museum ●bangkok history museum ●bangkok cultural district ●things to do in old town bangkok Last Update: 1 WeekAgo
Comment
Nearby Attractions
| Keyword (Advance) |
Region
|
Phra Nakhon(
Copyright 2012,