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As a major cultural centre and a place where the past and
present meet, it's no surprise that Chiang Mai has a number
of interesting museums. These museums preserve the art, culture
and history of the Lanna (northern) Kingdom as well as the
northern hilltribes and make excellent rainy day excursions.
Chiang Mai's museums are certainly worth a visit, if only
so you can sound authoritative while showing off your photos
back home.
Chiang Mai National Museum
Located near the historic Wat Jet Yod, this is the main museum
of northern Thailand and is under the patronage of Their Royal
Majesties, the King and Queen. It was renovated in 1996 to
celebrate the 700th anniversary of the founding of Chiang
Mai and now features a larger and better organized exhibition.
The museum is housed in a large, two storey traditional Lanna
style house, complete with the signature roof design, reminiscent
of a bird's spreading wings. Visitors to the museum pass through
six sections of exhibits, which constitute a journey from
Chiang Mai's prehistory to its present and future course.
The museum begins with the natural and cultural background
of the region, including the ecology and geography of the
north, as well as information on prehistoric settlements.
From there the museum tells the history of the Lanna Kingdom
from the founding of Chiang Mai in 1296 through its sacking
by the Burmese in 1558 until it was again liberated with the
aid of the King of Siam in 1769. The next section deals with
the short period of time during between the city's liberation
from the Burmese to its re-establishment in 1782, during which
period the city was under control of the King of Siam. Ascending
to the second floor, visitors will find an exhibit hall devoted
to the trade and economy of the Lanna Kingdom until its integration
with Thailand in 1939. The next section displays photographs
and artefacts showing the modern life of Chiang Mai - its
agriculture and industry, and its relation to the national
and global community. The final exhibit focuses on the unique
art style of the Lanna Kingdom, displaying numerous distinctive
artefacts from the 13th century all the way up to contemporary
pieces.
The Chiang Mai National Museum is located on the Superhighway
(Northwest) next to Wat Jet Yod. Museum hours are Wednesday
to Sunday 09:00 to 16:00 and admission is 30 baht.
Tribal Museum of Chiang Mai
Can't tell an Akha from a Hmong? Do you think that Yao is
just a big guy who plays in the NBA? Then you need to pay
a visit to the Chiang Mai Tribal Museum. Recently moved from
its location on the Chiang Mai University campus, this museum
is now housed in a modern, three storey building in Ratchamankla
Park. Anyone planning on paying a visit to the many hilltribe
villages around Chiang Mai will definitely benefit from a
visit to this museum. On display here are costumes, tools
and art from all of the major northern hilltribes, as well
as daily slide shows which tell the stories of these colourful
and unique peoples. The Chiang Mai Tribal Museum is located
in Ratchamankla Park, at the intersection of Mae Rim Road
and Chang Puak Road. Admission is free and the museum hours
are 09:00 to 16:00 Monday to Friday with daily slide shows
at 10:00 and 14:00.
Dara Phirom Museum
This unusual museum provides an excellent insight into the
life and times of Dara Rassamee, a consort of King Chulalonghorn
(Rama V) and half-sister to the (then) Prince of Lanna. Dara
Rassamee lived over 100 years ago and during her life she
was instrumental in uniting the Kingdoms of Siam and Lanna,
as well as being a great preserver of art, furniture and clothing
from the traditional northern culture. Much of her collection
is now displayed in her former home, almost all of which is
open to the public. The Dara Phirom Museum is located on the
Mae Rim road, about 30 km (19 miles) north of the old city.
The museum is open from 09:00 to 17:00 Tuesday to Sunday and
admission is 20 baht.
Museum of World Insects and Natural Wonders
For some creepy crawly fun, head over to this museum of the
oogie, run by Manop Rattanarithikul, an eccentric entomology
enthusiast and his wife Rampa, a PhD in the field. Manop,
nicknamed "The Mosquito Man", has been studying
and collecting insects for most of his life and he and his
wife have travelled the world studying and working with bugs.
They founded the museum together in 2002 and have been giving
visitors the willies ever since. Manop himself will guide
you through exhibits that run from massive beetles than look
like something out of the movie Dune to almost invisible little
gnats. Anyone who's spent time in Thailand will get a feeling
of deep satisfaction from seeing an example of all 422 species
of Thai mosquito dead and impaled in a glass case. But don't
be surprise if you get bit by some of Manop's enthusiasm for
the little buggers. The Museum of World Insects and Natural
Wonders is located on Srimankalajarn Road, soi 13 (midway
between Suthep and Huay Kaew roads near Suan Dok Hospital.
The museum is open from 09:00 to 17:00 daily and admission
is 200 baht. |
