Back for its 5th year, the MUSE Pass is available to buy for only 199 baht per person. It’s an amazingly economical and exciting way to see some of the city’s best displays of history, art, natural life, music and culture.
The pass is available to buy from participating museums or KTC Touch Branches. This year there’s also the option of a virtual card using an online pass. Ask vendors for more details. The pass is available to buy until 30 September 2017.
The theme this year is ‘Lets Muse Together’ inviting all cultures, nationalities, citizens, visitors, tourists and religions to enjoy the full array of 56 museums in and around Bangkok.
The price covers one person’s entry and in many cases, it is cheaper than the entry cost of several participating museums. It’s a great way to while away a rainy or hot afternoon while learning and experiencing some of the most amazing experiences this fantastic city has to offer.
If ever there was an opportunity to see some of the weird and wonderful artefacts and collections in Bangkok, then this is the time to do it. The variety is huge but here are some highlights:
Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall showcases Thailand’s artistic and cultural legacies of the Rattanakosin era through interactive exhibits arranged as two separate tours (each are about two hours long). Children will especially enjoy playing with hand puppets, learning khon (Thai masked dance) gestures and watching the vintage photography exhibit. On the fourth floor of the building, visitors can admire magnificent views of old Bangkok, including Loha Prasat.
Museum Siam is wonderful for children of all ages. Spread on three floors of a beautiful building that used to house the Commerce Ministry, the museum features hands-on exhibits that encourage kids to explore Thai culture and history. Highlights include an ancient battle game, a room full of traditional Thai toys and a mock archaeological dig site. (Please note: The Account of Thailand main exhibition hall is still under renovation and closed to the public; however, the smaller gallery is open — enquire in advance about the current temporary exhibit.)
Batcat Toy Museum, in the Huamark area of Bangkok, houses one of Asia’s largest toy and superhero memorabilia collections. There is a strong emphasis on Batman, with the largest private collection ever put on display. The museum has amassed over 50,000 pieces including toys, magazines, games, costumes and more dating back to the 1960s. The nostalgic charm is endearing, perfect for a family friendly day out.
Tooney Toy Museum, since opening in the Pakkred district, Nonthaburi in 2012, has been dazzling fans of popular Asian and western comic series and movies with its massive collection of toys, dolls, figurines, and related accessories. Highlights include the Toy Story room, Coca Cola memorabilia, Gundam figures, Marvel and DC superhero action figures, Lord of the Rings dioramas, Harry Potter wands, and Lego world monuments.
The Museum of Natural History, Chulalongkorn University, gets visitors to explore over 10,000 species of living things. One of the most complete natural history museums in Southeast Asia, the museum houses more than 100,000 specimens including insects, invertebrates, turtles and tortoises, and snails.
Bangkok Sculpture Centre, located in Soi Naunchan on an area of 12 rai (a utility area of 4,000 sq.m.), is a non-profit private organization established to promote Thai art. The centre is privately funded, and includes an array of pieces, including indoor and outdoor displays from private collections. The artwork reflects the long journey of Thai sculpture, starting from the Buddhist Era in the 13th century (Chiang San) to modern day.
National Aviation Museum of the Royal Thai Airforce collects, restores and preserves defence articles of different periods, including equipment and aircraft in use during the early period of Thai aviation history up to the present. Located behind the domestic terminal of Don Mueang Airport, the museum is modest in size but boasts some rare aircrafts, including some that are the very last in existence worldwide.
National Geological Museum is located in the same compound as the National Science Museum in Pathum Thani. Exhibits introduce the evolution of life through four time eras, showcasing the diversity of living things, from single cell organisms to members of the animal kingdom. Children will get a thrill from the life-sized dinosaur models, as well as the taxidermic models of Thailand’s indigenous animal species.
3D Interactive Art Museum: Art in Paradise Bangkok is a popular attraction among locals and tourists. Here, experience 150 art installations which serve as illusions to trick the eye into seeing 3D imagery. Lots of funny moments and photo ops here!
Real Zoo, in Ayutthaya province, offers bizarre and rare creatures from all over the world, covering over 200 species in every class of the animal kingdom, from the water to the sky. Highlights are the crocs, gators, lizards and snakes.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! in Pattaya, Chonburi province, highlights “the truth that you need to see for yourself”. The museum features a collection of oddities from all over the world – discover over 350 amazing things, including a mask made from human skin, a four-eyed man, and much more.
New additions this year include:
- Dhanabadee Ceramic Museum – traditional Thai crockery including the famous chicken bowl design and many more contemporary piece
- Baan Hollanda – information centre on Dutch-Thai relations, Ayutthaya
- Chokchai Museum Rangsit – a eclectic collection of things belonging to Chokchai Farm’s owner such as Buddha images and vintage luxury cars
- Golden Jubilee Museum of Agriculture, Pathum Thani – documenting agriculture through the ages
- INVESTORY (Investment Discovery Museum) – learning how to invest in the Thai stock market
- Nan Riverside Art Gallery, Nan Province – riverside gallery of local art works
- The National Memorial – documenting Thai military history
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Pipit Banglamphu – Local heritage museum for Banglumphu area of Bangkok
- Phu Wiang Fossil and Dinosaur Centre, Khon Kaen – geological museum mainly exhibiting fossils, including dinosaur bones and footprints preserved in their original discovery sites (Highly recommended!)
- Sirindhorn Museum, 27 kms north of Changwat Kalasin – dinosaur fossil museum
- Siam Insect Zoo, Mae Rim – discovery museum, beetle world, live insect breeding and butterfly garden (Highly recommended!)
- Space Inspirium – space learning centre in Pattaya (Highly recommended!)
- Woodland Muangmai, Nakhon Pathom – wood carving museum focusing on the history of the art
Other museums covered by the MUSE pass, which may be of interest to older teens and adults, in Bangkok and its vicinity, include:
- 3 Silapa Rattanakosin Resource Center – focusing on national culture changes and revolution
- Anti-Corruption Museum – a display of corruption cases from past to present
- Baan Mowaan – unlocking the secret of Yahom traditional Thai aromatic medicine
- Bangkok Folk’s Museum – displaying artefacts reflecting an upper-class Bangkok lifestyle during the pre- and post-World War II periods
- Coin Museum, Treasury Department, Thailand – showing the history of various mediums of exchange, from past to present
- GIT Gem and Jewelry Museum – displaying the origin of gems and jewellery, from upstream to downstream activities
- King Prajadhipok Museum – commemorating the life of King Rama VII
- Krungthai Art Gallery – showcasing Krungthai Bank’s small contemporary art collection
- Phra Maha Mondop Wat Trimit Wittayaram Museum – telling the story of Chinese settlement in Bangkok during the reigns of Kings Rama I to III, in the context of their Buddhist faith
- Phya Thai Palace – offering a glimpse of genteel, old world charm
- Police Museum – exhibiting the history of the Thai police since the 16th century
- SACICT Gallery – spotlighting the exquisite arts and craft designs supported by Her Majesty Queen Sirikit
- Sam Sen Nai Philatelic Museum – appealing to stamp collectors everywhere
- Siriraj Museum, Bangkok Noi – a look back in time through medical history in Siam (Please note: Some exhibits are graphic, and may not be suitable for children.)
- Suksason Museum – a contemporary museum that relives history through antique appliances, toys and a market model
- Thai Film Museum – preserving Thai film history
- The Queen’s Gallery – showcasing the work of Thai national artists, among others
And in other provinces:
- Chokchai Museum Pakchong – a collection of mementoes belonging to the man who has kept Farm Chokchai alive for over haft a century
- Khon Village (Nakhon Pathom) – a one-stop venue for food, sweets, crafts, Thai arts, culture and entertainment
- Phuket Aquarium – an underwater showcase of diverse marine life
- Khon Kaen Philatelic Museum (Khon Kaen) – displaying items and exhibits related to postal communications in Thailand
- King Rama II Memorial Park (Samut Songkram) – commemorating the king’s patronage of the arts and culture
- Knowledge Center of Chachoengsao (Chachoengsao) – a collection of books, music, films and other creative endeavours that promote knowledge acquisition
- MAIIAM Contemporary Art Museum – a private collection of fashion and contemporary artwork in an exceptional space
- Phuket Thaihua Museum (Phuket) – documenting Phuket’s history through different angles, including the Phuket-China connection
- Royal Park Rajapruek (Chiang Mai) – landscaped grounds featuring flowers, plants, sculptures and a commemorative chapel
- Maj. Thawee Folk Museum (Pitsanulok) – conveying local knowledge and lifestyle of Thais from past to present
- Southeast Asian Ceramics Museum (Pathum Thani) – displaying the history of Thai ceramics from all eras
- Sab Champa Museum (Lopburi) – showing pre-historic, Indian-influenced artefacts from the city of Sab Champa, around 3,000 years ago
- Tanland (Ayuthaya), aka Ichitan Museum – showcasing an eco-friendly living concept, inspired by the floods of 2011 and Ichitan founder Tan Passakornatee’s passion for sustainability
- Paradise Art 3D Pattaya and Chiang Mai – fun with 3D imagery
For further information please contact 02-225-2777 ext. 123, or Facebook.com/MusePass.
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