Museum Siam, Bangkok

Museum Siam, established in 2007 within the former Ministry of Commerce building, serves as a discovery museum. Its primary mission is to educate visitors about the national identity, history, and cultural connections of the Thai people, including their interactions with neighboring societies. The museum achieves this through a collection of interactive exhibits that chronicle Thailand's historical development from the past to the present.

The museum's building originally served as the offices for the Ministry of Commerce during the reign of King Vajiravudh (Rama VI, 1910–1925). The land it occupies was previously part of a palace that housed several of King Rama III's sons. The architectural design of the building, featuring classical revival elements, was a collaborative effort involving Italian architect Mario Tamagno, engineer E.G. Gollo, architect Guadrelli, and decorative contributions from Vittorio Novi. Construction of the building took place between 1921 and 1922, and it is now a registered historical monument.

The museum's interior is divided into various thematic rooms, each with its own focus. These themes encompass aspects such as 'Typically Thai,' 'Bangkok,' 'New Ayutthaya,' 'Village Life,' 'Change,' 'Politics and Communications,' 'Thailand and the World,' 'Thailand Today,' 'Thailand Tomorrow,' 'Introduction to Suvarnabhumi,' 'Suvarnabhumi,' 'Buddhism,' 'Founding of Ayutthaya,' 'Siam,' and the 'War Room.' Additionally, the museum includes a map room, an immersive theater with a panoramic screen for historical movies. The museum's initial permanent exhibit was titled 'Essays,' which provided insights into Thailand's history from various angles.

It's worth noting that the Sanam Chai MRT station, inaugurated in 2020, is conveniently located directly in front of the museum, facilitating easy access for visitors.