15 of the best museums and art galleries in Bangkok

The Thai capital is famous for its major attractions like the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun. Less well-known, though, are Bangkok’s many museums and art galleries. This cultural side of Bangkok often gets overlooked, but even if you don’t consider yourself an arty type there are some wonderful creative spaces in the city. 

We’ve chosen a cross-section of places to visit to show the diversity Bangkok has to offer. We’ve also included venues that aren’t set up like a traditional museum or gallery and where you don’t have to be an art aficionado to enjoy your visit. Shown in alphabetical order is our selection for some of the best museums and art galleries to visit in and around Bangkok.

1) Ancient City (Muang Boran)

Strictly speaking, Ancient City (also known as Ancient Siam) isn’t in Bangkok. The site of what has been described as the world’s largest outdoor museum is in neighbouring Samut Prakan province, the same province which is home to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport and the Erawan Museum. The large park is designed to resemble a map of Thailand with replicas of palaces and temples located accordingly.
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Lek Viriyaphan
Millionaire Thai businessman and art lover, Lek Viriyaphan founded a number of renowned art projects including Ancient Siam, Erawan Museum (see below) and the Sanctuary of Truth in Pattaya.

2) Aurum Gallery

The name of the gallery – Aurum means gold in Latin – is a clue to the man who conceived the idea and curated the art. Aurum Gallery is the brainchild of the British musician and actor, Clifford Price (MBE), better known to many as Goldie. He is also an accomplished artist who first made his name as a graffiti artist in the West Midlands. 

Located in Warehouse 30 in Bangkok’s creative Charoen Krung area, Aurum Gallery showcases a changing collection of urban art and street art. With knowledgable and helpful staff on hand, Aurum is one of the coolest galleries in Thailand.
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3) Bangkok Art & Culture Centre 

Bangkok Art & Culture Centre (BACC) is an unpretentious space in the heart of the city. Different galleries are set up throughout the BACC which also houses a number of cafes and boutique shops. With free entry and easy access to the Skytrain via the Phatumwan Skywalk at Siam or National Stadium BTS stations, this is a good choice whether art is normally your thing or not.

Look out too for the colourful, mushroom-like art installations at Pathumwan Skywalk which connects BACC with Siam Discovery and MBK centre. 
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4) Children’s Discovery Museum

As the name suggests, this is a great choice for anybody travelling with young children.  The interactive displays and hands-on activities are a fun and educational way to keep young ones entertained. Located in Queen Sirikit Park, the Children’s Discovery Museum can be reached by Skytrain (Mo Chit BTS) or Metro (Chatuchak Park MRT).
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5) Erawan Museum

There is little chance of not noticing the Erawan Museum with its vast three-headed elephant statue sitting on top of the museum building. The inside of the museum is a Hindu representation of the universe and divided into three main floors. The top floor is in the belly of the elephant with the lower two floors located within the sculpture’s pedestal. The museum contains various antiques and art collections including valuable artwork from Europe and precious Chinese vases from the Ming dynasty.
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6) HOP – Hub of Photography

A cool spot for anyone interested in photography, HOP is part gallery, part workshop and part library. Located at Seacon Square, HOP can be reached by taking the Yellow Line monorail to Suan Luang Rama IX station.
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7) Jim Thompson House Museum

Jim Thomspon is the American expat who is credited with reviving the Thai silk industry during the 1940s. He has a fascinating life-story and his former home is now open to the public as a museum. This collection of classic teak buildings is set in a quiet lane adjacent to the Khlong Saen Saep canal. The Jim Thompson Art Centre is also located in the same compound as the Jim Thompson House Museum.
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8) Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)

Not many overseas tourists make their way out to the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), but those that do are rewarded with a splendid setting and thought-provoking art. In addition to local artists, collections from international artists are also shown here with The Art of Banksy Exhibition featuring at MOCA in 2022/23.
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9) Museum Siam

Museum Siam is located in Bangkok’s old city area a short distance away from the Grand Palace and Wat Pho. Describing itself as a discovery museum, this is a good place for families with interactive displays being both educational and fun. Museum Siam is adjacent to the photogenic Sanam Chai MRT metro station.
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10) National Museum Bangkok (Phranakorn)

Combine a visit here with the nearby Grand Palace to get a deeper appreciation of Thai history. The building was a former royal palace and provides a regal setting for the various artefacts and treasures.
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11) Phayon Yothin Metro Art

This colourful addition to Bangkok’s art scene opened in January 2023. Located within the MRT metro station at Phayon Yothin, visitors can enjoy the vibrant murals, take part in art workshops and shop at the craft stalls. Music events are also hosted here.
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12) Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall

Although the Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall is a popular attraction for Thai tourists, it can at first glance appear to be confusing for overseas visitors. Most of the information and guided tours are in Thai, but audio guides in English do help explain about the exhibits and their importance to Thai culture. The top floor also has the benefit of excellent views across to the Golden Mount and Loha Prasat.
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13) River City Bangkok

This large space adjacent to the Chao Phraya River was originally opened in 1985 as a centre for antiques. River City Bangkok remains a magnet for art-lovers and collectors, but in recent years has evolved and now also includes galleries, exhibitions, live music and boutique shops. With its riverside location, it’s easy to get here by boat. Travelling from Sathorn pier (the central river pier near Sapan Taksin BTS Skytrain station), take any  public boat (green, orange or yellow flag) and get off at Si Phraya Pier (N3 pier).
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14) Royal Barges National Museum

This is where the boats that are used in the Royal Barge Procession are kept. The ornate barges are wonderful examples of Thai craftsmanship and although the Royal Barge Procession takes place infrequently – the last time was in 2019  –  the royal barges are culturally important and impressive to see in person.
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15) Street art

Our final pick isn’t an art gallery, but it does showcase some amazing artwork. There are various locations in Bangkok that feature colourful street art with the best and most photogenic location to be found in the area in and around Talat Noi (Soi Charoen Krung 22). The grey walls originally got a makeover during an urban arts festival and are now decorated with murals created by Thai and international street artists. 

You’ll also find paintings on the walls outside the embassies of Portugal (Soi Charoen Krung 30) and France (Soi Charoen Krung 36). Fans of Liverpool FC might also be surprised to know there is a mural of their favourite team nearby too.
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More venues

There are three more venues we intended to include in our list, but at the time of writing (August 2023) they were all closed with no clear indication if or when they would reopen to the public. If they do reopen, they are all worth a visit so we’ve added their details below.

CreativBKK
Unless you knew this gallery was here, you would walk straight past it. CreativBKK is hidden away in a building which also houses a tailor’s shop near bustling Sukhumvit Road. It might be small, but this little gallery previously featured new work by up and coming artists. Look out too for the #CreativBKK hashtag on social media.
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MR Kukrit Pramoj House
Also known as Baan Suan Phlu, this was once the residence of MR Kukrit Pramoj, the great-grandson of King Rama II and who also served as Prime Minister of Thailand for a brief spell in the mid-1970s.
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Patpong Museum
Patpong has a somewhat notorious history and this fascinating interactive museum shines a light on Patpong’s colourful past. It’s a past that involves Chinese immigration, the Vietnam War, CIA agents and go-go dancers. Discover how they all came together with a visit to Patpong Museum.
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