If you want to learn about Thai history when you’re in Bangkok, the best place to start is at the Museum of Siam. A relatlvely new museum in the city, it’s one of the most popular places to visit for a bit of culture. Unlike many Thai museums, all of its exhibits are in English too.
The Museum of Siam has an interesting design. Created around a ‘rainbow’, you follow the white rainbow throughout the museum, from place to place, starting off with a wonderful movie about Thailand and where Thais came from.
Full of excellent exhibits, lots of color, noise, games and interactive displays. You’ll learn a lot about what it means to be Thai, as well as the history of all of Thailand’s capital cities, ending with its present day capital, Bangkok.
Watch this video by Tenface for an idea of what you can see. It cuts out a little abruptly at the end, but just from this few minutes on tape, you can see what a marvellous museum the Museum of Siam is.
Unfortunately, although the Museum of Siam started out as free, in the last couple of years they’ve added the typical dual-pricing seen in many of Thailand’s attractions (and probably a big reason why a lot of them remain unvisited very often). Thais only pay 100 baht ($3), whereas foreigners have to pay 300 baht ($9). Three times the price a Thai would pay.
You’ll find the Museum of Siam at Sanam Chai Road, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok. They’re open every day except Mondays.