National Museum, Bangkok
Established in 1874 by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V, considered the greatest king of Thailand) to show his father King Mongkut's collection of items. They were housed in the former palace of the vice king (typically the brother of the reigning king), near the current royal palace and in the old part of Bangkok.It's since expanded from that initial collection to include everything that can be related to Thailand from cave dwellers to the modern.
The Arrival
I was staying down river, so I took a water taxi up the Chao Phraya to Tha Chang Pier and started walking from there. I was wearing shorts and my god the vendors were on me trying to sell me pants. (They thought I was going to the royal palace where covering your knees is required). They don't play those games at the museum, so I ignored the implorations which just made them more animated, agitated and persistent. I walked the streets north and east to the entrance to the museum.I just purchased tickets at the site, it wasn't super busy with tourists at all, waited to enter in the cafe by the shop, then started on my tour.
First 3 locations
I grouped the main temple, the Queen's Pavillion and the Red Building together because the one after it was kinda insane. The audience hall is for special events and was closed.4th building, Archaeology
So, I've been to a lot of museums around the world and lots of them are very loose on their displays and interpretations, but the 4th building has so much history, with artifacts from Stone Age through foreign exposure. I was truly delighted, and it was outstandingly impressive.World academic level of standards maintained in here for about 8,000 years of history.
5th, 6th and Dining
The archaeology continues to the 5th building, but it's now a lot of outside influence and items acquired as Thailand was noticed by the outside world.The Rest!
The classic Thai Buddhist temple, unchanged in design for 1,000 years
Large spaces inside the temple, wall to wall open
The pavilion to everyone's favorite female royalty, Queen Sirikit
The red building, which I think was baby care and now lots of Thai baby and room objects
Chinese influence on Buddha perceptions
Hall of ancient Buddhas
Pottery, the way things are associated to dates and cultures
Stone Age burial
This, is a burial urn. Hey, you're dead, you can be folded up to fit
Hall of bronzes
Hindu influence, wheels of time in stone
Thailand coming into its own styling and art
Room of Thai Buddhas, notice the slimmer bodies
Gold baby!
More of the Hindu gods, but now in Thai representation
The current powers that be in time trading into Thailand
The Japanese came for a visit
The Viceroys house, and royal litters
Very old silk clothing of the wealthy
Excellent representation of how the detailed weaving was done
A sit down meal, mostly simple food for a quick bite, and unlike most museums not insanely overpriced
I had the Thai duck fried rice, which I was able eat (I am famously picky)
Royal residences (for lesser members)
Quite a French and western influence at this time, Thailand trying to emulate 'Modern'
A large collection of antique chariots used for formal functions, like coronations
Summary
I've been to some... well, let's just say that there are quite a few museums where major liberties are taken with (1) history, and (2) the actual items being modified to fit a theme they are trying to show. The majority that do this have been in Asia. I was initially concerned, but wow, this place is true to its history and its collection. One should go here to understand Thailand and how she came to be.Tip, you don't need to dress like going to a temple or a palace. Since subways are few and far between here, take BTS to Saphan Taksin and get an ORANGE flag water taxi to stop Tha Chang and walk the rest of the way through markets and hawkers to experience the locals, or just a taxi if so inclined for the air conditioning.