History of the National Museum Bangkok
Historical background of the National Museum, Bangkok goes back to the year 1874. In that year His Majesty the King Rama V opened the first public "museum" to exhibit the previous royal collection of King Rama IV and other objects in general topics at the Concordia Pavillion inside the Grand Palace. Later, the Museum was transferred to "Wang Na", once a Palace to the Front or palace of the Prince Successor. In 1926, it became the "Bangkok Museum" and then developed to be the National Museum, Bangkok when it was organized under
the Department of Fine Arts in 1933.
 

Collections
The collections of the National Museum, Bangkok are national cultural heritage with the emphasis on art, archeological and cultural objects which are dated from as early as prehistory up to present
day. Three main galleries are :

The Gallery of Thai History located at Sivamokkha-phiman hall with the prehistoric gallery at the rear part of the building.

History of Art and Archeological Collections are presented in two buildings : Dvaravati, Srivijaya and Lopburi in south wing ; and Lanna, Sukhothai, Ayutthaya and Rattanakosin are in the north wing.

For the galleries in the old palace buildings, variety of minor arts and ethnological collections are exhibited such as gold treasure, enamel wares, mother-of-pearl inlay, musical instruments, wood carving, entertainment articles, textiles, ceramics, royal regalia, palanquins, old weapons, and stone inscriptions, etc. Royal Cremation ceremonial exhibits and chariots are housed in the cremation
chariot hall.

The National Museum, Bangkok also has a monumental value in itself as a Palace to the Front. Many buildings are displayed in original purpose such as Buddhaisawan Chapel where the Buddha Sihing was enshrined. European and Chinese furnitures are shown in Issaretra-chanusorn, or King Pin Klao resident. Tamnak Daeng or the Red House, Sala Samarn - Mukhamat, and other pavillions are examples of Thai architecture.