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Bangkok Culture: Art Galleries, Museums and More

There’s far more to culture in Bangkok than the city’s famous temples. From art galleries to museums, Bangkok has a thriving art scene and a fantastic collection of museums covering Thai history, culture, modern art and more.

Many of the city’s art galleries and museums are located in the Silom area and close to the Chao Phraya River, although there are numerous museums and cultural attractions in many parts of the city.

Below, we’ve listed 16 galleries, museums, cultural centres, tours and other places of interest for visitors to Bangkok interested in learning more about Thailand’s unique and interesting culture.

Bangkok National Museum

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地方很美吧 © 128749528@N05

  • Bangkok National Museum is Southeast Asia’s largest museum. Most of the exhibits focus on Thailand’s history and culture, although there are also exhibits dedicated to the art and culture of China, Cambodia, India and other countries in the region.

Royal Barges National Museum

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Royal Barges © rogerhoward

  • The Royal Barges National Museum contains eight impressive ships used in the Royal Barge Procession. The boats are carefully maintained and offer a great look into the amazing level of detail that goes into many of Thailand’s most important events and ceremonies.

National Art Gallery

  • Bangkok’s National Art Gallery may be no match for those in Europe, but it’s home to a diverse and interesting selection of Thai paintings and artworks. Several paintings by King Bhumibol Adulyadej are on display in the gallery.

Bangkok Art and Culture Centre

Bangkok Art and Culture Centre
Bangkok Art and Culture Centre © m-louis

  • Bangkok Art and Culture Centre is a large art gallery located opposite the MBK Centre close to National Stadium BTS. The centre is free to enter and hosts a variety of exhibitions with a focus on paintings and photography by Thai artists.

Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)

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Museum of Contemporary Art © franklinheijnen

  • Bangkok’s Museum of Contemporary Art contains a massive collection of artwork by both Thai and international artists. This large museum is located in the north of Bangkok and is easiest to access by taxi from BTS Mo Chit.

Thailand Creative & Design Centre (TCDC)

TCDC
TCDC © pourquoii

  • Located on the fifth floor of The Emporium at BTS Phrom Phong, TCDC is a design library and exhibition space for local Thai designers and artists. The library contains 34,000 design books and offers great views over nearby Benjasiri Park. Bring your passport for free entry.

Neilson Hays Library

Neilson Hays Library
Neilson Hays Library © kwanzshop

  • The Neilson Hays Library boasts a collection of more than 20,000 English language books and is Bangkok’s largest non-Thai library. The library, which was founded in 1869, can be found on Surawong Road and is approximately 15 minutes on foot from BTS Chong Nonsi.

Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre

  • The Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre hosts performances of Khon — a Thai traditional masked dance. Each show features more than 60 performers and involves traditional Thai singing and dance, acrobatics and acting.

Baan Bat (Alms Bowls District)

  • Baan Bat, Bangkok’s alms bowl district, is a small area close to Wat Saket where alms bowls — the bowls used by monks to collect offerings — are made. The district, which is also where robes and other temple items are sold, offers an interesting look into traditional life in Bangkok.

Klong Tours of Thonburi

  • Although most of Bangkok is bustling and busy, Thonburi, the quieter side of the city across the Chao Phraya River, has a much calmer atmosphere. Small Teak Boat Canal Adventure offers a look at the Bangkok most tourists never see using the city’s historical klong system.

Cycle Tours of Bangkok

LadyBike
LadyBike © drflint

  • Many of Bangkok’s best attractions, from stunning temples to street markets, can be travelled between on bicycle. Grasshopper Adventures offers bike tours of Bangkok that take riders past the city’s most iconic historical attractions, through amazing markets and more.

Small Art Galleries

Whitespace Gallery

  • Founded in 2006 by David Mayer and Maitree Siriboon, Whitespace Gallery is an independent art gallery located on Sala Daeng Soi 1. The gallery hosts frequent exhibitions displaying art by Thai and international artists.

100 Tonson Gallery

  • 100 Tonson Gallery is a contemporary art gallery with a selection of works by international and Thai artists. The gallery, which holds several exhibitions a year, is located on Soi Tonson and is a short walk from Chit Lom BTS.
    Chulalongkorn Art Center

The Art Center

  • One of Bangkok’s first public art spaces, The Art Center at Chulalongkorn University is a large exhibition space and gallery. The Art Center displays work by established Thai and international artists, as well as work by upcoming Thai student artists.

H Gallery

  • Located inside a beautiful 125 year old home, H Gallery was established in 2002 and now hosts a variety of exhibitions throughout the year. Irish curator Brian Curtin manages the gallery’s art collection, displaying work by both Thai and international artists.

The Silom Galleria

  • The Silom Galleria is an art and antiques shopping mall on Silom Road. There are several art galleries located on the third and fourth floors of the shopping centre, many of which offer their pieces for sale.



Boutique Hotels in Bangkok

Our pick of boutique hotels in Bangkok are:
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:: From May 1 2025, all visitors to Thailand are required to fill in the Thailand Digital Arrival Card before arrival. Do it online before you leave home to avoid the hassle of having to do it on arrival in the airport. Fill in the form at the Thailand Digital Arrival Card official site, and see also the official site instructions on filling in the card if you need help.

:: Find available Bangkok hotels on Booking.com and Agoda.com - usually you can reserve a room with no upfront payment. Pay when you check out. Free cancellations too.

:: Browse a huge list of Things To Do In Bangkok - there are loads of activities and tours you can quickly book online or simply use as inspiration for your trip.

:: Find the cheapest flight to Bangkok with Skyscanner - one search will show you the prices and times from scores of airlines for your trip. A real timesaver.

:: Book a Bangkok airport transfer to take you hassle-free direct from the airport to your hotel with the driver meeting you in Arrivals.

:: Rent a Pocket Wifi router which can connect several devices so you can have immediate internet access on your phone, laptop and tablet.

:: Make sure you don't forget to bring any of the essentials with our comprehensive Packing List For Thailand

:: World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world.

:: Book bus, train and ferry tickets from Bangkok to the rest of Thailand with 12Go - easy to use website that lets you check timetables and buy tickets online.

:: Need inspiration? Check our Bangkok Itineraries for ideas of where to go and what to do.

:: Explore our Bangkok Travel Guide for more Bangkok must-see attractions and helpful tips.


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