Bangkokian Museum — Attraction in Si Phraya Subdistrict

Pros: Hugely underrated place with a rich lived history. The museum traces the family history of the once-owners of the property (now in the care of the state) and boy was it a tale - from the grandmother who had first married a South Indian doctor (extremely unusual in those days), and remarrying her second husband (a Chinese immigrant who made his wealth through rice plantations).

I understand that the last owner passed away 6 years ago and was a hugely cherished educator who never married, and was in her own capacity a hugely respected and independent woman. The family seems to be on the fringes of the royal family, not by lineage but by generations of close service.

Cons: Other reviews did point out how they were discomfited by the constant phototaking. I would chalk it up to a generational gap and lack of cultural nuance, rather than anything malicious. It seems like the guides (all of whom are middle-aged and older) were tasked to capture as much footage as possible to give proof of visitors being engaged at the museum. (I would guess that this contributes towards securing continued funding). They did assure me that the photos would only be used internally.

Language-wise, guides were helpful but prior research into the history of Thailand (particularly wrt the Chinese and Indian diasporas) would make for a much more enriching experience.

Overall I loved my visit there and found it an intimate, quiet and revealing look into the tapestry of domestic life colored by popular culture at different...

We loved it. It is easy to find and close to other attractions in the Ban Rak/Silom area. the admission was free. The guides were so friendly and helpful. I was accompanied as always by my Thai wife so much of our tour was in Thai, but they speak excellent English.

The Bangkok Folk Museum is actually two Thai houses from circa 1937. They are beautiful have been well maintained in the original manner. The main house as you enter the grounds has the traditional visiting and living style spaces downstairs with living quarters for the family upstairs. The rooms are filled with beautiful antiques from the era and people who lived in the house(s).

Between the two houses is an beautiful shaded garden with a large pond. The smaller house in the back was to be an office and clinic for the stepfather but he passed away before he could move in. It also has a nice collection of antique furnishings and medical items.

There is another building located on the grounds. It is the Ban Rak local history museum and tells the story of the development of Ban Rak. The building contains family heirlooms, old collections, and many other interesting period items. There is even an old style Thai kitchen like my wife remembers from her grandmother's house. We spent a really nice...

When i saw this museum on a website i was delighted this is just my cup of tea! We took a tuck tuck, map and address in hands at around 1 pm. Around an hour after driving through the dense traffic city the driver stopped to ask several other tuck tuck drivers were the museum was, according to the map it shouldn't have been far at all, but none of them ever heard of it! We left the driver n s tarted walking asking passers by, people in shop, cafe... Nobody knew nor have heard of the place n didnt even know the street it was in! We walked like this for 2 hours. It was really draining.... Eventually we found it thanks to a very friendly young girl who worked in a youth hostel n went for a while on the internet in order to help us. But of course by that time, the museum was closed 4pmc c c !!!! So if u decide to go and visit this house, i suggest you go with the boat and stop at pier 1 oriental,then ask for the main post office, or take a taxi or tuck tuck, its the little lane number 43 just across it, at around 200 metres on your right. Dont ask anyone this museum is totaly unknown to the...