King Prajadhipok Museum, Bangkok: Address, Phone Number, King Prajadhipok Museum Reviews: 4/5
King Prajadhipok Museum
King Prajadhipok Museum
4
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Although this king ruled for only 10 years, his was the last reign of the absolute monarchy.
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Neighborhood: Rattanakosin (Bangkok Old City)
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4.0
38 reviews
Excellent
12
Very good
17
Average
8
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Sandy W
Vancouver, Canada1,296 contributions
Small museum but informative
Oct 2019 • Couples
A small museum, a little bit difficult to find. The displays are only on the third floor and reflect the teachings of this king. The displays are about sovereignty and the rule of law, and diversity in a democratic society. Seems particularly relevant in North America at this time! 😊 “Sovereignty comes from the people. The monarch exercises that power but by the provisions of the Constitution.”
Written October 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
bobjanh
Brisbane, Australia1,608 contributions
Excellent - all things Rama VII
Oct 2019 • Couples
Only some 300m north of Wat Saket, I would recommend a visit to this museum.
Located in a beautifully restored buildings, it presents excellent details (with extensive English language provided) of the life and times of King Prajadhipok and his Queen. Learnt a lot here and throughly enjoyed the experience.
There is no charge to enter and the staff are super-friendly. They certainly give you a warm welcome to the museum.
It is very easy to spend a couple of hours here.
Located in a beautifully restored buildings, it presents excellent details (with extensive English language provided) of the life and times of King Prajadhipok and his Queen. Learnt a lot here and throughly enjoyed the experience.
There is no charge to enter and the staff are super-friendly. They certainly give you a warm welcome to the museum.
It is very easy to spend a couple of hours here.
Written October 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
APinBKK
Bangkok, Thailand183 contributions
Great place to learn about King Prajadhipok
Feb 2018 • Business
This museum covers King Prajadhipok's whole life and has many items that pertain to his life. The displays are informative and are arranged in an appealing fashion. The museum aided in my understanding of Thai history during the first quarter (plus) of the 20th century.
Written February 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
backpacker31
Boynton Beach, FL5,376 contributions
Fascinating Individual - and well told life story
Feb 2018 • Solo
Prior to visiting this museum I had not heard of King Prajadhipok. Although his life was cut short a way too early of an age, it was his forward thinking ideas such as compulsory education and a democratic government that has helped shape the Thailand we know today.
The museum building, dating back to 1906 was once a Public Works building. The structure itself both inside and out is an attraction unto itself - obviously well preserved, maintained and refurbished.
There are three levels inside. They contain photos, mementos, artwork, clothing, furniture, etc. of the King and Queen. The story of his life is exceptionally well laid out in chronological order from his birth to his death.
Of particular interest are of his travels overseas to learn about how other democratic governments operated and to see how expanding a country’s middle class (at the time Thailand has virtually no middle class) played an important role in its success on the world stage.
The entrance fee is free. I spent almost three hours here - and saw only two other people. If you’re tired of looking at temples and want a break from the heat, I recommend spending an afternoon here.
The museum building, dating back to 1906 was once a Public Works building. The structure itself both inside and out is an attraction unto itself - obviously well preserved, maintained and refurbished.
There are three levels inside. They contain photos, mementos, artwork, clothing, furniture, etc. of the King and Queen. The story of his life is exceptionally well laid out in chronological order from his birth to his death.
Of particular interest are of his travels overseas to learn about how other democratic governments operated and to see how expanding a country’s middle class (at the time Thailand has virtually no middle class) played an important role in its success on the world stage.
The entrance fee is free. I spent almost three hours here - and saw only two other people. If you’re tired of looking at temples and want a break from the heat, I recommend spending an afternoon here.
Written February 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
aguhl
Bogota, Colombia269 contributions
Very interesting to visit
May 2017 • Solo
This museum is in a very nice and well renovated late 19th century building. The key figure is King Prajadhipok, also known as Rama VII and how he was deposed as an absolute monarch in 1932. Through photographs and text you learn a lot of Thailand's history, how in the mid 19th big colonial powers like France and the UK basically bullied Siam, invaded parts of it and imposed difficult commercial conditions for Thailand (then Siam). Through King Prajadhipok you can understand how was the transition to a modern constitutional monarchy in Thailand. You also get a glimpse of late 19th and early 20th century Thai living conditions and how this King was keen on a democratic transition in Thailand, but later than when it happened. The character, the pictures, and the historical photos reminded me a little bit of "The King and I".
Written May 31, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
canadian19642015
London, Canada11 contributions
Very Interesting and Balanced
May 2017 • Solo
Thailand has gone through a tough time the last few years. This museum helps to put current difficulties in context by pointing to the life and reign of King Rama VII (know during his lifetime as King Prajadhipok). Prajadhipok was King of Thailand 1926-35, during which time he continued a vigourous project of modernization and openess to the West against a background of economic downturn. The task was a herculean one. In later years Prajadhipok had to deal with calls for an end to absolute monarchy, and eventually, a coup by members of the armed forces in 1932, followed shortly thereafter by the granting of Thailand's first constitution. The creation of a democracy is never easy. Prajadhipok ultimately came to loggerheads with the new government, left Thailand, and wound up abdicating in 1935. He spent the remainder of his life in exile in England. This museum contains lots of fascinating details and memorabilia about his early life, training in England and France, marriage to Queen Rambai Barni, his reign as king, conflict with the coup plotters, and ouster. If the relations between a former absolute monarch and usurping democratic activists could be fraught, at least they're dealt with relatively candidly here. Of course, more could have been done to detail Prajadhipok's efforts pre-1932 to introduce democracy by means of municipal elections. Still, this is definitely NOT a run-of-the-mill museum. The displays are excellent and the English translations, for the most part, superb. Through them one gets a sense of the lives of real people - however privileged - confronting considerable problems. Heavy indeed is the head that wears the crown. A well done effort to chronicle a difficult, turbulent time in modern Thai history. Of note as well are the sections dedicated to Prajadhipok's life after his abdication and Queen Rambai Barni's works following his death in 1941 until her own passing in 1984.
Written May 10, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Andrew_Alin
Greater Adelaide, Australia1,645 contributions
Good on a hot day if you have time to spare
Feb 2017 • Solo
Spread out over three floors, the King Prajadhipok Museum follows the life of it's namesake from birth to coronation, and through to his death.
With a very large collection of mostly photographs, this museum gives visitors a glipse of what Royal life was like.
Not a must-see attraction by any means, but if you are already in the area, or have a bit of time to spare, then this museum gives an insight into the life of the Royals, that vising temples or the grand palace won't be able to give you.
Also doesn't hurt that it's nicely air-conditioned inside, a welcome respite from the midday heat outside.
With a very large collection of mostly photographs, this museum gives visitors a glipse of what Royal life was like.
Not a must-see attraction by any means, but if you are already in the area, or have a bit of time to spare, then this museum gives an insight into the life of the Royals, that vising temples or the grand palace won't be able to give you.
Also doesn't hurt that it's nicely air-conditioned inside, a welcome respite from the midday heat outside.
Written February 10, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Herwie
Singapore, Singapore280 contributions
A place to visit if you have nothing planned.
Nov 2016 • Solo
This place has a lot of pictures! And I mean a lot! It highlights the story of King Prajadhipok, his early years, right to his ascension and then abdication and death. It is a pleasant place to visit but not if you are wanting to see an artifact of sorts.
There was only a handful of visitors when I was there. Staff was very polite. And I researched somewhere that fees had to be paid. However, it was free when i went.
If you are first or second time visitor to bangkok, skip this place as there are other more interesting sights to see. But if you are a frequent visitor to Bangkok, this museum offers yet another experience as a seasoned traveller.
There was only a handful of visitors when I was there. Staff was very polite. And I researched somewhere that fees had to be paid. However, it was free when i went.
If you are first or second time visitor to bangkok, skip this place as there are other more interesting sights to see. But if you are a frequent visitor to Bangkok, this museum offers yet another experience as a seasoned traveller.
Written November 30, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Mr_Prinz
The Netherlands258 contributions
Absolutely underrated!
Jul 2016 • Couples
We found the museum by accident while walking around the area after visiting the Golden Mount. We were very surprised to find such a well made and beautiful museum. The admission is free and the exhibits are very informative and provide exiting information about the past of the Thai Royal Family. Easy to reach by water bus, just get out at the last station. We were nearly the only ones in the museum and were very surprised how this attraction is not much more popular!
Written September 27, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
JoshShoeString
Petaling Jaya, Malaysia895 contributions
Turning Point of History
Sep 2016 • Solo
The Thais are excellent at history story telling. This museum narrates the turning point from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy; how King Rama VII abdicated the throne when he realized he couldn't turn the tide of the political parties. It's rather sad that he had passed away after giving his wife permission to leave his side as she had been taking care of him non-stop when he was ill.
Written September 16, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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