City: Thailand
Top Things to do in Thailand
10 Specialty Museums in Thailand That You Shouldn't Miss
Coordinates: 15°24′N 101°18′E / 15.4°N 101.3°E / 15.4; 101.3
Restaurants in Thailand
1. Woodland Muangmai
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 183 reviews
Reviewed By SureshM_12 - Bangkok, Thailand
An excellent place to visit for 2-3 hours and enjoys wood carvings divides into different Hal’s of different faiths. Hinduism mainly Lord Ganapati several statues different poses . Lord Buddha statues . Chinese Goddess of Mercy & Christ statues and an outdoor Church . Impressive stayed and lot of photo opportunities. And a cafe with the river view.
2. Elephant Parade Land
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 106 reviews
Visitors can enjoy a behind the scenes tour of Elephant Parade’s art and production studio. Visit the museum and learn about elephants, their uniqueness, struggle and how we can all help these magnificent creatures. You will see full-size Elephant Parade statues from all over the world and choose your favorite from a collection of replicas. You can also create your own masterpiece at the workshop!
Reviewed By chuckc512 - Las Vegas, United States
This is more of a retail shop that supports the cause of elephant care and rehabilitation. Before we left for Thailand, we saw a documentary about a badly crippled elephant named Mosha who was treated by a veterinarian who specialized in prosthetic devices. It was an amazing story. The Elephant Parade land was started following his treatment and as a method of raising awareness and money for the cause of the great creatures. We saw baby elephant sized parade elephants in hotel lobbies and full sized parade elephants beautifully decorated in places around town. You could buy beautifully decorated elephants in a variety of sizes, all for a great cause. We love elephants so we bought 3 in different sizes and painted in styles that we liked (about $185). You will see them all around Chiang Mai and it worth a drop in to see what they do.
3. Jim Thompson House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14,238 reviews
This former home of an American named Jim Thompson, who started the Thai silk industry after World War II, houses a magnificent collection of Asian art and many unique displays.
Reviewed By darreng62 - Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Jim Thompson story is quite remarkable as is his amazing and stylish house, his accomplishments with Thai silk and his lifestyle are inspiring for some and interesting to many and his incredible house on the klong is well worth a visit.
4. Museum of World Insects and Natural Wonders
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 411 reviews
Reviewed By singhasam - Weymouth, United Kingdom
THIS museum is a Thai couple's incredible labour of love spanning fifty years. Their museum message is that they serve as a "house of reminders" displaying the precious gifts of nature and expressions of infinite beauty and wonder, caring for thousands of insects, butterflies, seashells, fossils, stones and many amazing rarities from Thailand and other countries. We had to ring a bell when we arrived to be let in, paying the 200 baht entry fee to walk into a museum experience unlike any I have ever had. Founder Manop Rattanarithikul worked with American scientists in the 1950s and it might be said that the museum grew out of he and his wife Rampa's love affair with mosquitoes which the Americans were conducting malarial studies on. Whatever the reason, Manop became the first Thai expert on mosquitoes and Rampa went on to become one of the leading medical entomologists in the world. Impressive stuff and so are the exhibits in the museum which offers everything from giant wasp nests to fossil fish and countless butterflies. So much is packed into two small floors of exhibits that you have to go slowly in case you miss something there are so many things to see. Not for the squeamish are some black and white photographs of various medical conditions which made you realise just how important early malarial work was. By the time we walked out more than an hour later I felt I had a much better grasp of this aspect of the natural world. I was also determined not to forget to put on my DEET that night to keep mosquitoes at bay when I went out! Fascinating place which is well worth a visit.
5. The Thailand-Burma Railway Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,461 reviews
Reviewed By lizeliottlockhart - Perth, Australia
Excellent museum outlining the importance, history and research behind the Thai Burma railway... Highly recommended and kids (teenager) valued the learning experience.
6. Erawan Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 629 reviews
Reviewed By DonC181 - Singapore, Singapore
Last two times when we visited bkk, we actually wanted to visit but was not in our first choice! This trip, we actually wanted to postpone our visit again as we thot it is just another ordinary museum, but we are wrong. The place is beautiful, the stained glass roof top, the intricate stairways, the beautiful landscape garden, the peace... Make sure you climb all the way to the top for a great surprise!! ???? Recommended!
7. Sgt. Maj. Thawee Folk Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 109 reviews
The Museum was founded by Sgt Maj Thawee, it comprises three buidings of fascinating memorobilia collected by the Sgt Major Thawee. Opposite the Museum is a foundary where they make Bronze Buddha Images. The entry fee for the museum is fifty baht for everyone and to inspect the factory there is no charge. The Sgt Major has made several Buddha Images and other statues around Phitsanulok. The City also houses a famous Buddha Image in Wat Yai and a fabulous coffee shop called "Coffee and More".
Reviewed By pugyao
Nice private museum owned by sergeant Tawee who is passionately in love with Thai cultural and local wisdom. His amazing collections in old wooden buildings included many antique stuffs (like banknotes, lottery tickets, toys, ancient celadon wares, ect), gadgets that were commonly used in Thai old days (but totally disappear today), also provided some informations and presentations about indigenous knowledge (like Thai herbs, etc), local arts, local old house, tribes with their livings, old Thai fashion, old photos and some significant events in the past. There is also a little souvenir shop in the museum. Ticket costs 50 baht for both Thai and foreigner (yes, not bias). If you are in Phitsanulok and interest in local culture, this museum is "a must". Thanks sergeant Tawee. visited on 28 july 2020
8. Wat Phra That Doi Kham (Temple of the Golden Mountain)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,528 reviews
Reviewed By DanW440 - Portland, United States
This is an area of much activity surrounding the hype and excitement of this amazing temple. It's beautiful and has so much to see - a very large and significant temple. Even though it was crowded we still enjoyed our visit. Lots of vendors abound so one can purchase items inside the temple walls as well as at the bottom of the long, long staircase. The usual dress code for sacred temples is expected, be sure to dress appropriately and be prepared to remove your shoes. Wondering the grounds for an hour and a half was more than enough time to see everything This amount of time spent allowed for beautiful pictures in daylight and in my opinion
9. Siam Insect Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 327 reviews
The Siam Insect-Zoo & Museum is a great place for famlies visiting Chiang Mai. The facility was renovated in 2010 and includes exhibits with insects ranging from caterpillars to beetles to butterflies.
Reviewed By FancyFree55 - Florida, United States
I traveled alone to the Siam Insect Zoo by taxi from Chiang Mai because Hubby wasn't interested in looking at insect displays. I'm so glad I did. This was incredibly interesting, besides being the only insect zoo I've ever heard of, anywhere in the world. The owner of the B&B we stayed at in Chiang Mai told me that the insect zoo was established by a man who'd contracted malaria from a mosquito bite in his youth, which caused him to start researching mosquitos, and then other insects as well. The collection of preserved insects is astonishing - three rooms full of wall-to-wall and floor to ceiling displays, including thousands of insects from all over the world, along with a wealth of information about each creature. I was delighted to enter the butterfly garden, where beautiful specimens were flitting from flower to flower. They weren't afraid to get close to me, and a few nearly landed on me. There's a spider room with live specimens of gargantuan spiders, many poisonous, all confined in aquariums. If the staff would clean the glass, they'd be much easier to watch and visitors would be able to take photos. There's also a display with aquariums containing many species of large "walking stick" insects. You can hold one, if you're willing. Again the glass really needs cleaning. One aquarium contains one of the most poisonous insects on the planet - a giant red centipede. You can't hold this 12-inch long monster because his bite can kill a child or someone in frail health. I was fascinated watching a huge night-slayer scorpion, bearded dragons, beautiful iguanas, and a couple of turtles for good measure. Admission is only about $4 USD. I spent more than an hour checking out the displays. The staff is very friendly and helpful. Don't miss this museum if you're traveling anywhere near Mae Rim.
10. Wat Phra That Cho Hae
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 124 reviews
Reviewed By 358marcys - Naples, United States
We haven’t gone into many Wats but this one had beautiful dark wood, looms set up with golden fabric being woven for monks Peaceful and calming Many stalls out front selling mini Buddhas, food and drink Another Wat across the street which has its own beauty and individuality
