King Prajadhipok Museum
King Prajadhipok Museum
4
About
Although this king ruled for only 10 years, his was the last reign of the absolute monarchy.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience King Prajadhipok Museum and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Neighborhood: Rattanakosin (Bangkok Old City)
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
4,458 within 3 miles
Attractions
612 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
39 reviews
Excellent
12
Very good
18
Average
8
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Marion F
New York City, NY298 contributions
Apr 2024 • Solo
More people need to know about this museum.
across the street from the Queens gallery and with free entree, it really should be on everyones must do in Bangkok list.
I had no idea this place existed, I only saw it on my way to the queens gallery.
Curating/celebrating the life of the first/only Thai king to abdicate? it timelines with great intimacy his too short life, he died in his early 50s. and the puslse of Thailand during his reign
across the street from the Queens gallery and with free entree, it really should be on everyones must do in Bangkok list.
I had no idea this place existed, I only saw it on my way to the queens gallery.
Curating/celebrating the life of the first/only Thai king to abdicate? it timelines with great intimacy his too short life, he died in his early 50s. and the puslse of Thailand during his reign
Written April 28, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
backpacker31
Boynton Beach, FL5,873 contributions
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. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
updog247
Melbourne Beach, FL233 contributions
Jan 2015 • Solo
I was on my way to the Golden Mount and passed by this museum on the way and very glad I went in. A lot of Thai history with this King and Queen. Lots of exhibits and artifacts. A lot of details from the mid 1850s till a little after WW2. There was no admission charge when I was there.
Written January 13, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
APinBKK
Bangkok, Thailand190 contributions
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. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
aguhl
Bogota, Colombia276 contributions
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. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
canadian19642015
London, Canada10 contributions
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. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Waytarn
Bangkok, Thailand105 contributions
Jul 2016 • Friends
King prajadhipok museum is very beautiful style building not to far from grand palace and no entrance fee. Like a listing in 1925 .
Written July 21, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew_Alin
Greater Adelaide, Australia1,628 contributions
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. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Herwie
Singapore, Singapore414 contributions
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. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aethelred
Cambridge, MA1,337 contributions
Jun 2016 • Solo
This is an excellent museum, perhaps the best one to introduce Thai 20th century history. This is a complex and tricky business, and of course one can't say here whatever one wants - all the more, to look at the 1932 events (which by now means were unambiguously positive, as a bunch of financially interested oligarchic officers are not everyone's idea of true democracy...) in an evenhanded way is important, and this is what this museum does. The pieces are secondary; the history lesson matters.
It's also free, air-conditioned, and empty. So, before you go back "to your bars, your temples, your massage parlours" (or something like that; from "One Night in Bangkok" from "Chess"), go here. One dot missing from five only because there is no (book) shop, and I would have really liked a catalogue, Rama VII's autobiography, etc.
Note that the main preview pic is completely unrelated to this museum.
It's also free, air-conditioned, and empty. So, before you go back "to your bars, your temples, your massage parlours" (or something like that; from "One Night in Bangkok" from "Chess"), go here. One dot missing from five only because there is no (book) shop, and I would have really liked a catalogue, Rama VII's autobiography, etc.
Note that the main preview pic is completely unrelated to this museum.
Written June 1, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing