Museums and Royal History
The National Museum Bangkok is housed in the former Front Palace (Wang Na). The palace was built in 1782 for the viceroy and converted into a public museum in 1887 under King Rama V. The National Museum Bangkok is considered Thailand’s largest museum; it presents artifacts, art and knowledge from many eras. This gives it a clear cultural focus for a stay in Bangkok: the collections bring together works of art and historical records, rather than focusing on just one era.
The Issarawinitchai Royal Hall displays royal funeral chariots, regalia and court art. The Ramkhamhaeng Inscription, recognized as a UNESCO Memory of the World, is housed in the Siwamokhaphiman Hall. The Phra Buddha Sihing Hall houses a revered Buddha image that combines Lankan, Lanna and Sukhothai art. The Asian Art Building showcases influences from China, India, the Khmer Empire and the Hellenistic world. Goldwork and murals also have cultural significance: they reflect Thai beliefs and traditional ways of life. Court art, religious artifacts and different artistic movements are thus presented side by side. Those wishing to include museums and culture in their stay in Bangkok will find several specific themes to choose from here.
Another historical highlight in Bangkok is the Grand Palace. It was built after the capital was moved in 1782; its grounds cover 218,000 square meters. The palace complex includes residential and throne halls, administrative buildings and a temple that serves as the royal chapel. The Temple of the Emerald Buddha is located northeast of the Front Court and was built without living quarters for monks. It is also known colloquially as Wat Phra Kaew. King Rama I installed the Emerald Buddha in the royal chapel and named the temple Wat Phra Sri Rattanasasadaram. The museum focuses on collections, while the Grand Palace illustrates the history of a royal complex and its chapel.
Temples as Distinct Cultural Highlights
Wat Pho, officially Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Rajwaramahawihan, is a first-class royal monastery associated with the reign of King Rama I and located near the Grand Palace. The epigraphic archive at Wat Pho comprises 1,440 stone inscriptions in the Thai language and script, created between 1831 and 1841. In addition to its Buddhist art, the site has another historical dimension in its materials, language and period of origin. Wat Pho also offers insights into Buddhist art and traditional Thai knowledge from earlier times.
Wat Arun is another of Bangkok’s historical highlights: the ancient temple dates from the Ayutthaya period and is considered the royal temple of King Rama II. It is located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, at 34 Arun Amarin Road in the Bangkok Yai district. Its precise riverside location adds another clearly identified place in Bangkok to the stories of the palaces and museums.
Art, Markets and Getting Around
The Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) is a public venue for art and culture in Bangkok. Its third-floor entrance is connected to the National Stadium BTS station. Chatuchak Weekend Market is one of the city’s tourist highlights and is served by Mo Chit BTS station and Chatuchak Park MRT station. Alongside historical sites, visitors can therefore choose art and a market to suit different travel interests.
The BTS Skytrain system consists of two lines, is about 68.5 kilometers long and has a total of 60 stations; it runs through the provinces of Pathum Thani, Bangkok and Samut Prakan. Before individual journeys, check current routes and connections, as transport services may change.
Then find a hotel based on your specific sightseeing plans and check the accommodation’s location as well as current transport connections for your planned journeys.
Discover more destinations: Chom Thong, Min Buri, Thung Song Hong and Lat Krabang.
Go to the main travel overview: Bangkok.
