Museum Showdowns

The museum scene in Bangkok has improved drastically since many new developments on the old Bangkok and the introduction of cheap DSLR cameras to the narcissistic nouveau-riche. Despite my place’s walkable proximity to some of them, I had never visited these places before. This time I utilized my short time in Thailand wisely by spending my afternoon time, while my friends and family are working, with old and new stuff in museums.

Round 1: Jim Thompson House (below) vs. Suan Pakkad Palace (far below)
Verdict: tie

There are a lot more real traditional Thai artifacts at Suan Pakkad Palace but much less guidance staff or descriptions. While both take roughly an hour to visit, I have learned more from an excellent professional guide at Jim Thompson House. (The walking tour is provided in Thai, English, French, and maybe more.) However, you have to pay twice the ticket price. Please also keep in mind that Jim Thompson House is Thai-western Frankenstein at best.

Round 2: Nitas Rattanakosin (shown in the previous post) vs. Museum Siam (below)
Verdict: arguably Museum Siam

This is quite a hard decision. While Nitas Rattanakosin looks grander and actually takes longer time to complete (4 hours vs. 1-2 hours) at the same price, there are much less real contents on anything. Any topics are superficially discussed. Staff cannot answer some questions. Many rooms are completely pointless. Videos could be digested into shorter presentations for non-linear itinerary as in a more museum-like and educational setting in Museum Siam. Indeed this divides my family somehow; my dad and brother prefer somewhat timed linear show-like aspect of Nitas Rattanakosin while my mom and I prefer the opposite.


P.S. What I found on the way: