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National Museum
 For
those seeking an introduction to Thai art, culture and history,
this is the best place to start. Located near the Grand Palace,
the museum’s buildings date from 1782 and are as much a part
of the display as the objects contained within them. Popular items
in the museum include an early Buddha image from Gandhara in India
with obvious signs of influence from classical Greek sculptures;
a display of traditional musical instruments from Thailand, Laos,
Cambodia and Indonesia; and the collection of royal funerary carriages,
including the massive and still used Vajayant Rajarot that requires
300 men to pull. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, beginning at 09:30,
free tours are provided in English by National Museum volunteers.
Free tours are also conducted in German, French and Japanese.
Call the volunteers at 02-215-8173 for more information about
the tours and the subjects covered. The museum is open from 09:00
to 16:00, Wednesday through Sunday.
Open everyday, except Mondays, Tuesdays, and annual holidays,
from 9:00 - 16:00. Admission: 40 Baht.
National Gallery Museum
Located on Chao Fa Road opposite the National Museum, you can
find traditional and contemporary works of art created by Thai
artists. Open everyday except Mondays, Tuesdays, and public holidays
from 9.00 a.m. to 4.00p.m
Royal Barge National Museum
Located near Phra Pin Klao Bridge, on the Bangkok Noi "klong"
the museum houses barges used on royal ceremonial occasions and
in former times as war vessels. The most beautiful barge "Suphannahong"
is used only by the king during the special royal river procession
for the Kathin ceremony, a Buddhist tradition of offering robes
to monks, usually during October to November. Open everyday from
9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Take a long tail boat from any pier along
the river. 
Museum of Imagery Technology
The first camera and photograph museum established in Thailand
and Asia. Includes historic and modern photographs, imaging equipment.
Techniques and printing technology are also exhibited. Open Thursdays
only 10:00a.m - 16:00. Admission 100 Baht. Call 218-5581-2 for
more information.
Prasart Museum
This private museum on the outskirts of Bangkok, has replicas
of some of the most beautiful Thai architecture constructed within
the complex. Open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10.00
a.m. - 3.00 p.m. Admission 300 Baht. For advance reservation,
call 379-3601, 379-3607.9 Located Soi 4, Krungthep Kritha Road,
Bang Kapi.
Science Museum & Planetarium
An exhibition centre which includes an interesting aquarium,
computer world, and planetarium, as well as many devices created
for fun and education. Open daily except Mondays and public holidays
from 9.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m. Admission 40 Baht for adults and 20
Baht for children. Situated next to the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekamai)
on Sukhumvit Road.
Khamthieng House
This is a classic northern-style teak house, originally constructed
in Chiang Mai more than 200 years ago and donated to the Siam
Society by its owners. The garden has a variety of tropical plants.
Also on display are items used daily by Thai farmers and fishermen.
Open daily except Sundays and Mondays from 9:00- 17:00 Admission:
100 Baht. Located at 131 Soi Asoke (Sukhumvit Soi 21)
Meditation Centres
Meditation is one of the most popular aspects of Buddhism, practiced
by both monks and ordinary people as a means of promoting inner
peace. There are meditation centres in Bangkok which offer classes
in English for foreign visitors who wish to find out more about
Buddhism and Buddhist meditation. These include Wat Mahathat offering
meditation classes for foreigners. (Tel: 623-6325) The world fellowship
of Buddhists (Tel:251-1188-90), Buddhist Association of Thailand
(Tel: 281-9563-4), Association for the Science of Creative Intelligence
(Tel: 258-3257), Young Buddhist Association of Thailand (Tel:
413-1706) and House of Dhamma (Tel: 511-0439)
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