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
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
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 © 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)
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 © 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 © 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 © 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:- Ariyasomvilla Hotel
Sylish,spacious oasis in the centre of Bangkok
(View on Booking.com and Agoda.com) - Arun Residence
Great location with views of Wat Arun, large comfortable rooms.
(View on Booking.com and Agoda.com) - Bangkok Tree House
Eco friendly and serving organic food. A great place for a couples retreat.
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com) - Cabochon Hotel
Quiet, private and homely with a swimming pool.
(View on Booking.com and Agoda.com) - Chakrabongse Villas
Great riverside location and former royal residence.
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com) - Eugenia Bangkok
19th century colonial style building with 12 suites and swimming pool.
(View on Agoda.com) - Hansar Bangkok Hotel
Luxurious and modern with fantastic swimming pool.
(View on Booking.com and Agoda.com) - Mandarin Oriental Hotel
The oldest, grandest and most famous Bangkok hotel, right on the river.
(View on Booking.com and Agoda.com) - Metropolitan Bangkok Hotel
Modern and comfortable and just 400m from Lumphini MRT
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com) - Navalai River Resort
Rooftop pool with great location near Khao San Road, good if you like nightlife.
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com) - Old Bangkok Inn
Cosy, traditional and right in the heart of the Royal District
(View on Agoda.com) - Praya Palazzo Bangkok
Charming and stunning and in walking distance of the Grand Palace.
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com) - S15 Sukhumvit Hotel
Modern and sleek. 5 minutes walk from Termainal 21 shopping centre.
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com) - Sala Arun
Riverside with great views and clost to Grand Palace and Wat Po. Popular rooftop bar with great sunsets.
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com) - Salil Hotel Sukhumvit
Chic and smart and located in Bangkoks trendiest district of Thonglor.
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com) - Shanghai Mansion Boutique Hotel
The only boutique option China Town. Expect opulent oriental style.
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com) - Siam @ Siam Design Hotel & Spa
Modern but comfortbale, great view from the infinity pool, great location for shopping.
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com) - Siam Heritage Boutique Hotel
Combines the traditional with modern for comfortable rooms with character.
(View on Booking.com and Agoda.com) - Tenface Bangkok Hotel
Modern and chic. Shopping centres 2 BTS stops away.
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com) - The Heritage Baan Silom Bangkok
Luxury boutique resort with elegantly furnished studios
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com) - The Mix Bangkok Boutique Hotel
Great value boutique option next to Phra Khanong BTS.
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com) - The Siam Bangkok
New, modern and right on the river. Great romantic hideaway.
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com) - Triple Two Silom Boutique Hotel
Very convenient location for BTS and MRT. Large comfortbale rooms.
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)