Sightseeing Around Khao San Road

Posted by Sukhumwit Steve on January 7th, 2011 filed in Sightseeing

A large number of tourists staying at Khao San Road walk between the popular backpacker haunt and the Grand Palace every day. A wonderful attraction sits in between these two places that is usually overlooked by most people. This place is none other than the National Museum.

The National Museum is situated next to the prestigious Thammasat University, and boasts a wide range of historic artefacts, artwork, sculptures and statues from different periods of Thai history. One of the best parts of the National Museum is the Archaeological and Art History Collection. This collection features some absolutely fascinating displays of artefacts dating back to the 11th century.

If you love art and culture you will find something to interest you in the museum’s stunning decorative arts and ethnological collection. This collection features a range of artistic works from various minority cultures in Thailand. You can also see some exquisite gold artefacts, carved ivory and old weapons. Some of the exhibits in the National Museum are particularly rare, and are usually off-limits to foreigners in Thailand. These exhibits include the Royal funeral chariots.

Within the museum grounds are some other buildings that are well worth a look. You can have a look at the Buddhaisawan Chapel, which some of the most sacred images of the Lord Buddha in Thailand. Some of the paintings inside this chapel are actually considered to be the oldest murals in Thailand.

There are also a number of smaller royal residences located within the museum’s gates, including the Red House, which was one of the private residences belonging to Queen Sri Suriyen, who was the wife of King Rama II.