National Museum
Bangkok’s national museum- which has over thirty branches throughout the country – is housed partly in the palace of the Second King, a sort of vice-ruler, built during the reign of the king Rama I. the collection was moved there from the Grand Palace by King Rama V in 1887, and the under King Rama VII (1925-34) it was expanded and placed under the Royal Institute of Literature, Archeology and Fine Arts, latter the Fine Arts Department. Two modern buildings were constructed on either side of the old palace in 1967, while a new gallery on Thai history was opened during Bangkok’s bicentennial celebrations (1982)

Buddhaisawan Chapel

The Buddhaisawan Chapel was built in 1787 to enshrine an important northern Buddha image called the PranBuddha Si Hing, and is now within the grounds of the museum. The interior walls are painted with exceptionally fine murals showing sense from the life of the Buddha, while the building itself is an outstanding example of early Bangkok religious architecture.

Tamnak Daeng

Tamnak Daeng, or “red hourse,”was the residence of an elder sister of King Rama I. It was moved from Thonburi by King Rama II to the Grand palace compound and later, in the fourth reign, to its present location in the museum grounds. Furniture and other items of the early Bangkok period are displayed inside

The Museum collection
 

The international Museum’s collection covers the whole range of art found in the country, religious and secular, fine and decorative, Thai and otherwise. The Prehistoric Gallery, for instance, includes Neolithic tools and pottery dating as far back as 10,000 bc, in addition to painted pots and bronze objects unearthed at excavations in the northeast. Numerous creations of the pre-Thai Srivijaya, Dvaravati and Khmer kingdom s are also displayed, as well as those of the early Thai settlements of the far north. Thai Buddhist art encompresses images in the stone, bronze and terracotta from the Sukhothai , Ayutthaya and Rattanakosin (Bangkok)periods, together with suchreligious items as illustrated scripture books, manuscript cabinets and votive plaques. Open daily except Moncays and Turesdays, the museum also contains a large selection of miscellaneous arts, among them Thai and Chinese ceramics, theatrical costumes, textiles, furniture funeral chariots, palanquins, elephant howdahs, weapons, puppets and assorted objects used in royal household. Guided tours in English are offered on certain days of the week by the national Museum Volunteer Group.

Royal Barge Museum

The Royal Barge Museum, on Klong Bangkok Noi near the point where it enters the river, displays but a few of the spectacular craft that were once used for royal processions along the Chao Phraya. Such processions began in Ayutthaya when, according to one foreign observer, as many as 200 barges were involved, propelled by chanting, uniformed oarsmen “all rowing in synchronized movement and rhythm.” The most impressive of the contemporary barges is the gilded Suphanahongsa 29 in which the king rides, over 150 feet long and requiring a crew of sisty-four, with a prow in the shape of a mythical, swan-like bird. Another, 149 feet long, is adorned with a many-headed naga, or sacred serpent, while other figureheads include horned dragons, garuda, and characters from the Ramakien. Royal barge processions today are rare, being held on occasions like Bangkok’s Bicentennial in 1982, the Koing’s 60th and 72nd birthdays and the King’s Golden Jubilee in 1996

Museum in the palace compound

Just beyond the entrance is the Coins and Royal Decorations Museum. It exhibits early Thai coins and various items used as money, as well as medals and other decorations, many of them set with precious stones, presented by Chakri kings. On the ground level of the Chakri Maha Prasay is a ndisplay of ancient weapons, while near the Dusit Maha Prasat another museum contains stone inscriptions and palace decorations replaced during renovations. Museum of Thai textiles will open shortly near the front of the compound.