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Art and Museums in Thailand

When it comes to art and museums, Thailand has a lot to offer travelers, so if this is your thing, you don't want to miss the best places to see Thai art, as well as the best museums in the country.
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There are so many things to do in Thailand, from exciting activities and trying the local food to visiting all the heritage sights, but there is an artistic side to Thailand that you should make time to explore.

 If you are interested in learning more about the incredible culture, history, and art of this beautiful country, you should note the best places to go for this. Here is all you need to know about art and museums in Thailand so that you can make the most of your South East Asian adventure in the land of smiles.

When it comes to art, there are numerous places to go and check out, scattered throughout the country, so if this is your thing, make sure you remember some of the top spots to see some great Thai art, including:

Art in Paradise, Pattaya

Art and Museums in Thailand
Photo Source: http://www.artinparadise.co.th/main.php

This excellent interactive museum is not only the first of its kind in Thailand, but it is the largest of its kind in the world. You can expect to find some great 3D art exhibitions and hand-painted masterpieces, which are super interesting to explore and an excellent place for all the family.

The Museum of Buddhist Art Nongprue

Art and Museums in Thailand
Photo Source: https://www.museumthailand.com/en/museum/Museum-of-Buddhist-Art-Nongprue

If you want to see something truly unique, you must come to this museum to see the world’s most extensive collection of Buddha images. There are 2,600 artifacts relating to the Thai Buddha, all of which will leave you with a more profound knowledge of the history and culture of Buddha in Thailand. In addition, this is the only museum that houses the complete evolution of the Thai Buddha, so it is a great place to learn everything you need to know if you don’t have the time to visit all the heritage sites.

MAIIAM Museum of Contemporary Art

Art and Museums in Thailand
Photo Source: http://www.maiiam.com/about/

This is a private museum in the north of the country, which houses one family’s collection of contemporary Thai artwork from the past thirty years, and is an excellent addition to the art culture that strongly exists in Chiang Mai already.

Lanna Folklife Museums

Art and Museums in Thailand
Photo Source: https://cmocity.com/lanna-folklife-museum/

To better understand the life of the Northern Thai people, you should discover everything on display in this beautiful museum, based in Chiang Mai. Here you will find ancient farming tools, old textiles, information on the religious beliefs and traditions of the people, as well as lots of great information about Buddhism if this is new to you. The culture in Thailand is influential and varies from region to region, so if you get a chance to visit this fantastic place to get a better insight into rural life, then you should.

Chiang Mai City Arts and Cultural Centre

Art and Museums in Thailand
Photo by Duy Vo on Unsplash

Chiang Mai is the hub for art and culture, and you will find a lot of great sources here, including this museum, which depicts the local culture and heritage of Chiang Mai itself. It is dedicated to preserving the heritage and history of the area and providing people with relevant information to expand their knowledge on this fantastic place in the north of the country.

Museum of Contemporary Art

Art and Museums in Thailand
Photo by Thong Vo on Unsplash

This privately-owned art museum is located in the capital city and is one of the largest museums of its kind in all of Asia, so you will not be bored here. It exhibits some very famous Thai artists, including paintings and sculptures.

Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre

Art and Museums in Thailand
Photo by Egor Myznik on Unsplash

This contemporary arts center, located in Bangkok, has various sections, including commercial galleries, a bookshop, an art library, and a craft shop. It aims to be a cultural exchange venue and continues to see more and more visitors each year.

National Gallery

Art and Museums in Thailand
Photo Source: https://www.museumthailand.com/en/museum/The-National-Gallery-Hor-Silp-Chao-Fa

This art gallery is one of Thailand’s many ‘National Museums’ and has a range of different art from traditional Thai art to the western-influenced style and contemporary art.

On the other hand, if it is more history and heritage you are interested in, these are some of the best museums to check out. Thailand has had a long and very complicated past, so if you want to learn more, one of the best and simplest ways is to visit one of these museums.

Jim Thompson House

Art and Museums in Thailand
Photo Source: https://www.jimthompsonhouse.com/

This museum in Central Bangkok houses the art collection of American man Jim Thompson also known as the Thai Silk King. Here you will find some fascinating displays of antiques, artifacts, contemporary artwork, including sculptures, paintings, porcelain, pottery, and many other unique items.

The National Museum, Bangkok

Art and Museums in Thailand
Photo Source: https://www.museumthailand.com/en/museum/National-Museum-Bangkok-Phranakorn

You will find many ‘National Museums’ scattered throughout the country, and this is one of them, located in the capital. They are responsible for keeping the state-owned historical and cultural artifacts safe while allowing locals and tourists to explore and discover them all over the country.

Chiang Mai National Museum

Art and Museums in Thailand
Photo Source: https://www.museumthailand.com/en/museum/Chiang-Mai-National-Museum-

This northern Thai museum, run by the Fine Arts Department of Thailand, gives you an insight into the history and heritage of the Kingdom of Lanna and offers you the chance to discover their culture using artists and artifacts exhibits.

Thai-Burma Railway Centre Museum

Art and Museums in Thailand
Photo Source: https://www.tourismthailand.org/Attraction/thailand-burma-railway-centre

The Thai-Burma Railway Museum is a famous museum that combines a research center and a museum in Kanchanaburi and is run by an Australian man by the name of Rod Beattie, who is an expert in the history of the Thai Burma Railway.

JEATH War Museum

Art and Museums in Thailand
Photo Source: http://thailandforvisitors.com/central/kanchanaburi/ww2-jeath-war-museum.php

If you are visiting Thailand, you will most likely plan to visit the town of Kanchanaburi, which is home to the famous ‘Bridge over the River Kwai, also known as the Death Railway, due to the many prisoners of war and slave laborer’s who died while building it.

The museum’s name stands for the primary nationalities of the people responsible for building the Bridge, i.e., Japanese/English/Australian/American/Thai/Holland. There are two sections in the museum that feature paintings, drawings, and photos of former prisoners and weapons, tools, and maps. It is worth noting that photographs are not permitted in Section 1 of this museum.

Museum Siam

Art and Museums in Thailand
Photo Source: https://museu.ms/museum/details/16348/museum-siam

This museum, situated in Bangkok, aims to give visitors an inside look at the national identity and history of the people of Thailand. Through their highly interactive exhibits, you will learn about Thailand’s evolution from past to present, and it is a great place to get to know the country and the people better. So if you have time in Bangkok, be sure to visit this museum for a great educational experience.

Monuments to explore

Art and Museums in Thailand

While in Thailand, there are many unique monuments to explore, and you will be fascinated by their architecture. Here are some inspiring and impressive monuments that you must check out:

  • Wat Arun
  • Democracy Monument
  • Wat Pho
  • Three Kings Monument
  • Mr. Kukrits House
  • Victory Monument
  • Wat Suthat
  • Banharn-Jamsai Tower
  • Tsunami Memorial Park

When it comes to exploring more of Thailand’s culture, art, and architecture, be sure to check out these incredible tours and be sure to get in contact with a local ‘Destination Guide’ to ensure you don’t miss out on anything:

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