Historic places in Bangkok

64 historic buildings, sites and memorials in Bangkok.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first. Showing the top 40 of 64.

SeeSilom
Assumption Cathedral
อาสนวิหารอัสสัมชัญ
The Assumption Cathedral is the main Roman Catholic church of Bangkok. The original building at this place was the brainchild of French missionary Father Pascal in 1809, and completed in 1821. Throughout the second part of the 19th century, the area surrounding the church played an important role for French Christian missionaries arriving in Bangkok. It is near the Oriental Hotel and the French Embassy in an area that still captures somewhat of its French history. The current church dates from the 1910s, when the building was completely reconstructed in a Romanesque style. It was heavily damaged by bombing in World War II, but was restored after extensive repairs. Its rectangular structure and red brick exterior makes it stand out from the dull white surroundings. Its interior is spacious with a high ornate ceiling. Pope John Paul II visited the church in 1984, showing the prominence of the church in the Roman Catholic community of Thailand. The only religious service in English is held Sundays at 10:00.
DailyFree
SeeThonburi
Bangkok Noi Museum
พิพิธภัณฑ์เขตบางกอกน้อย
This museum is about the history of Bangkok Noi and of the village of "Bangkok" that used to be located here. Bangkok Noi was an important trading centre in the Ayutthaya Period, and briefly the capital of Siam in the Thonburi Period. The Rattanakosin Period has also been covered, when most of Bangkok Noi consisted of fruit orchards. Many people worked as craftsmen, including those making bronze bowls. These fruits and bowls are on display in the museum. Over time, Thonburi became more urbanised, but here you can still see what it used to be like.
Wed-Sun 09:00-16:00Free
SeeSilom
Bangkokian Museum
พิพิธภัณฑ์ชาวบางกอก
This typical wooden Thai-style family house was built in 1937 and originally was the home of the Suravadee family. It was converted into a museum that gives an insight into the lifestyles of middle-class Bangkokians during World War II and the 1950s. On display are antiques, household items, a kitchen, sanitation and toilet facilities used during the war. Part of museum is devoted to maintaining the history of Bang Rak and Silom, showing the farms, canals and windmills that used to be characteristic for this area.
Wed-Sun 10:00-17:00Free
SeeRattanakosin
Bodhi Court
You might stumble across a tree on a pedestal when walking from Phra Chan Market to Thammasat University. Why is this tree placed on a pedestal and decorated with garlands? Well, the tree has been linked with Thailand's struggle for democracy and the role Thammasat University has played here. The Bodhi Court is the birthplace of the 8 October 1973 student movement that grew into mass demonstrations for democracy and a new constitution. The students protested against the military junta and insisted on the release of 13 people that had been arrested for demanding a national charter. The number of protesters swelled to the hundreds of thousands and were relocated to the university's football field. On 13 October 1973 this large group of people started to move onto the streets. The following day, the government violently suppressed this mass demonstration, a key event in Thai modern history and the reason why the October 14 Memorial was erected near Khao San Road. On 4 October 1976, the Bodhi Court was the stage of an open-air stage performance that mocked the political culture of that time. When these parodies took hold of the newspapers' headlines on 6 October, the military junta violently attacked the student groups for being defamatory to the royal family. In 1991, a military coup d'état followed and a constitution was drafted that basically maintained the status quo. Students again gathered at the Bodhi Court to protest against the junta. After the 1992 general elections, the opposition to the junta gathered at the Bodhi Court, starting demonstrations that would evolve into more than 200,000 participants. The junta again cracked down in an event known as the Black May Massacre, but eventually all protesters were freed and the junta stepped down in favour of democracy. An important tree, indeed.
Free
DrinkPratunam
Café de Norasingh
Café de Norasingh is a luxurious cafe housed in the royal reception room of the Phaya Thai Palace. It is completely decorated in Viennese style, a setting very popular during the reign of King Rama V in the early twentieth century. This has to be one of the most elegant ways to have a cup of coffee in the city. They also serve small snacks.
Mon-Fri 08:30-19:00, Sat Sun 10:30-19:00
DoYaowarat and Phahurat
Chalerm Krung Royal Theatre
เฉลิมกรุงรอยัลเธียเตอร์
Opened in 1933, the theatre places a heavy emphasis on Thai dramas known as "khon" — traditional Thai dances based on Thai history and legends that take about two hours. The "khon" are mostly performed during the winter months, while other performing arts (including cinema) are staged throughout the year. It is best to call first to find out about which performances are on.
10:00-18:00 daily
BuySukhumvit
Dasa Book Cafe
Great collection of used English, French, German, Scandinavian, and Finnish books, 15,000 in all. General fiction and guidebooks can be found on the ground floor; mystery, children’s, history, politics and non-fiction are on the first floor; horror, true crime, sports, philosophy, psychology, nature, and language books are found on the third floor. Prices range from 50 to 3,000 baht, although most books are priced around 200 baht. Used books are usually priced at half the price of new books. Owners are Kaweewut Wuttiwibhu and Donald Gilliland.
Daily, 10:00-20:00THB 30-5000
SeeKhao San Road
Democracy Monument
อนุสาวรีย์ประชาธิปไตย
Completely occupying a roundabout on a major thoroughfare is the Democracy Monument. Its distinguishing features are the four 'wings' which are at four equally spaced points around a smaller central shrine. The wings are decorated with artworks of war and war-related events. Quite impressive when seen from a distance (especially at sunrise and sunset), but maybe not worth the hazard involved in running across five lanes of Bangkok traffic for a closer look. It commemorates the June 1932 military coup d'état that led to the country's first democratic constitution in place of absolute rule. Demonstrators gathered here in 1973, 1976 and 1992 in their struggle for democracy, signifying the important role this monument has played in recent Thai history.
Free
SeeDusit
Dusit Palace
พระราชวังดุสิต
PERMANENTLY CLOSED! Sometimes called New Royal City, Dusit Park, Dusit Garden, or simply Dusit, is a complex of palaces and royal residences in the south of the Dusit district. The palace was established by King Rama V, the first Thai monarch to visit Europe. He was impressed by the royal parks and residences he had seen there, which were leafy, relaxed, spacious and cool, as opposed to the Grand Palace, which was cramped with buildings for his numerous wives, children, and servants. These buildings blocked air flow inside the Grand Palace, which heated it up considerably. As a replacement, King Rama V started building the Dusit Palace.
Closed · opens 9:30 am
SeeRattanakosin
Front Palace
วังหน้า Wang Na
Now the central building of the National Museum, the Front Palace used to be an enormous complex stretching from the Chao Phraya River across Sanam Luang to Lot Canal. It was built in the 18th-century, along with the Grand Palace. The Front Palace housed the heir to the throne, who was appointed by the King; usually a son or brother of the reigning monarch who bare the title "Second King" or "Vice-King". The title of Second King started in the Ayutthaya Period, but gained a significant amount of power during the Rattanakosin Period when the Second King even got its own private army and navy. This large amount of power often led to conflicts between the King and the Second King. The last to bare the title of Second King was Prince Vichaichan. In 1884, he got into a power struggle with King Rama V in an event known as the Front Palace crisis. King Rama V tried to modernise Siam in a rapid pace, and conservative forces and the nobility, including Prince Vichaichan, saw their power and influence being slowly eroded. When Prince Vichaichan got a letter threatening his life, he mobilised up to 600 of his private troops around his palace. The King also mobilised his troops, but this only underlined that the Second King's guards were more numerous and better equipped. After an explosion, a mysterious fire broke out in the Grand Palace, threatening Wat Phra Kaeo, and the Second King's troops got on their way to the Grand Palace to try to extinguish it; however this was blocked by the King's Royal Guards who feared that the fire was orchestrated by the Second King to take over the country. Afterwards King Rama V criticised the Second King for not moving all his troops to the Grand Palace, as an ancient custom dictated that the Second King's troops must actively protect the King and the Grand Palace in an emergency. King Rama V ordered his troops to surround the Front Palace, and Prince Vichaichan fled to the British embassy. After mediation, the powerful Western countries sup
Wed-Sun 09:00-16:00, closed on holidays200 baht
SeeRattanakosin
Grand Palace
พระบรมมหาราชวัง
, is the official residence of the King, and contains within its grounds Wat Phra Kaew (also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha). The palace was built when Bangkok was established by King Rama I, and has been expanded many times since. It covers a wide range of architectural styles, ranging from the pure Ayutthayan style of the temples to a blend of Thai and Western styles for later structures. While the King no longer lives here, a large part of the complex is used for royal residences and ceremonies and is off-limits to visitors.
500 baht
SeeSukhumvit
Green Lantern Cafe and Sex Museum
A coffee shop with a Museum of Sex, devoted to the history of eroticism and the sex industry in Thailand. The proprietor's father, a wealthy property developer, has a larger sex museum, Kamavijitra, on Sukhumvit Soi 38.
SeeYaowarat and Phahurat
Holy Rosary Church
วัดแม่พระลูกประคำ Wat Mae Phra Luk Prakham
Portuguese descendants of the early traders in Ayutthaya first settled at the other bank of the river in Thonburi (at the site of the Santa Cruz Church), but gradually moved to the opposite bank of the river. As the Portuguese were one of the most important trading nations in Siam, this church was built with a land grant from King Rama I in 1786, about four years after Bangkok was established as Siam's capital. As Portugal's influence overseas diminished, the Portuguese community was dispersed and the church fell into disuse. Due to the Indochina Wars of the mid-20th century, many Catholic Vietnamese and Cambodians fled to Bangkok and adopted this church as their main house of worship. Throughout its history, it has been rebuilt twice, with the present church dating from the 1890s. The cream-coloured church has a towering spire, an interesting set of European-style stained-glass windows, as well as a statue of Christ that is carried through the streets at Easter.
Religious services Mon-Sat 06:00, Sun 06:15, 08:00, 10:00
SeeRattanakosin
King Prajadhipok Museum
พิพิธภัณฑ์พระบาทสมเด็จพระปกเกล้าเจ้าอยู่หัว
The building is designed by the French-Swiss architect Charles Beguelin in 1906 in a neo-classical style that popular with King Rama VI and King Rama VII. It was renovated by the King Prajadhipok Institute to serve as a museum exhibiting a rare collection of King Rama VII's personal belongings, including photographs, documents and his biography. King Rama VII ruled in a turbulent time of Thailand's history; he was the last King who enjoyed absolute monarchy, as well as the first King under a constitutional monarchy. Significant events and stories relating to King Rama VII are exhibited, including his succession to the throne, royal activities, political reform, promulgation of the constitution, royal utensils and memorabilia, as well as his life after abdication and death in the United Kingdom. The demolished Sala Chaloem Krung Theatre that used to stand in the nearby area is imitated with old films being projected.
Tue-Sun, hols, 09:00-16:0040 baht
SeeDusit
King Rama V Equestrian Statue
พระบรมรูปทรงม้า
The entrance to Dusit Palace is a gigantic motorway with the statue of King Rama V (Chulalongkorn) riding a stallion right in the centre. It is the first monument dedicated to a Thai king, completed in 1908 and inaugurated by King Rama V himself. The monument was financed by public donations, as the Thai people were grateful for King Rama V's pursuit of modernising the country. Each year on 5 December, the Trooping of the Colours ceremony is held here.
Free
DrinkRattanakosin
Krisa
Small family-run cafe. Cozy and relaxed. Traditional Western-style decor. Close to the Grand Palace. Iced chocolate a specialty. Simple Thai dishes.
10:00-18:00 daily
EatRattanakosin
Krua Khun Kung
ครัวคุณกุ้ง
Tucked in a small alley, this restaurant is the only good restaurant close to the Grand Palace. Its odd location makes it often unnoticed by foreigner travellers, which is a shame as it has a great view over the Chao Phraya River. It's best to sit outside on the terrace, but you can also sit indoors if you want to cool down from the heat. On the menu is seafood, and some of the best the city has to offer. But beware: it's very spicy.
Mon-Fri 11:00-14:00, 16:00-22:00, Sat Sun 11:00-22:00100-150 baht
SeeRattanakosin
Mahakan Fort
ป้อมมหากาฬ
Mahakan Fort is one of only two remaining forts of Rattanakosin's outer city walls, the other being Phra Sumen Fort near Khao San Road. Mahakan Fort is on the banks of Rop Muang Canal, and a part of the former ring of forts that defended Rattanakosin Island from invasions from the east. It was built during the reign of King Rama I. What makes this fort unique compared to Phra Sumen Fort is that a part of the old city wall is still intact; it runs about 200 metres south along Maha Chai Road. An almost a century old community lives in shanties between the old city wall and the canal, but the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has been trying to turn it into a public park for tourists (as was done around Phra Sumen Fort). After a 14-year legal dispute, it seems like a compromise has been reached where some houses of the old community will stay and be turned into museums.
Free
SeeRattanakosin
Museum of Siam
มิวเซียมสยาม
The renovated European-style mansion of the Ministry of Commerce of Thailand has been turned in good use. It now is the Museum of Siam, a permanent exhibition about the history of the Thai nation, its culture and its interaction with other nations and cultures. As with all the new museums in town, it's a so-called "discovery museum", in which visitors can play and interact with the objects shown. It is a lot fun, for children and adults alike, and informative at a superficial level. First you watch a subtitled short film about Thai-foreign interaction, with some Thai inside jokes about foreigners. Then you'll walk through several historically-themed rooms, starting in prehistory and ending in the modern age. Make sure your camera is charged and its memory unit empty, as there are many photo opportunities. You can sit in a tuk-tuk, prepare fake Thai food, bomb medieval armies, wear colonial-age clothing, present a news programme and sit in a 50s-style diner.
Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00300 baht for foreigners, free entry 16:00-18:00
SeeRattanakosin
National Museum
พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติ พระนคร
The National Museum took over the Front Palace grounds, a former royal palace built in the 18th century just like the Grand Palace. The grounds are attractive in parts, but a bit sprawling and difficult to navigate. The permanent exhibits are a mixed bag — there are some terrific new displays and dioramas on Thai history, but many other buildings are dusty collections of artifacts without much by way of explanation. A good way to cope with this is by taking the free guided tour in English (and German, French, Japanese), held on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 09:30. Allow a full afternoon to see this one as it is fairly large.
Wed-Sun 08:30-16:00, hols closedThais 30 baht; foreigners 200 baht
SeeKhao San Road
October 14 Memorial
อนุสรณ์สถาน 14 ตุลา
14 October 1973 is one of the most important dates in modern Thai history. Millions of pro-democracy protesters gathered at Ratchadamnoen Klang Road against the military dictatorship of Thanom Kittikachorn. The junta attacked the masses with snipers from rooftops killing dozens of civilians. Eventually the regime was toppled and Thailand became a constitutional monarchy. This memorial commemorates those who died that day, as well as those that died at similar protests in 1976 and 1992. You can read more about this hectic period in Thai history in the small museum.
Free
SeePratunam
Phaya Thai Palace
วังพญาไท
The Phaya Thai Palace has been built by King Rama VI, who lived here from 1919 during the last years of his reign. After his death, the palace was turned into one of the most luxurious hotels in Southeast Asia, a radio station and a military hospital. The palace is worth seeing, as there is a lot to take in. The most important building, the Phiman Chakri Hall, is made in a beautiful Art Nouveau style with silk wallpapers and ornate murals. Every Saturday, volunteers give two free guided tours through the palace that take about two hours. It is also possible to visit on weekdays, but you must call ahead to make an appointment and pay 500 baht.
Sat 09:30 and 13:30, Mon-Fri by appointment onlyFree
SeePhahonyothin
Philatelic Museum
พิพิธภัณฑ์และห้องสมุดตราไปรษณียากร
This museum displays the history of the Thai postal service and the development of Thai stamps throughout history. The first Thai stamps were issued during the reign of King Rama V in the late nineteenth-century. Also on display are stamps from other countries that are a member of the Universal Postal Union. There is a library with books about stamps, and you can buy stamps at the ground floor of the building. Next to the museum is a room that looks and acts like a post office of the past. In front of the building you'll find Thai and foreign postal boxes from various periods.
Wed–Sun 08:30-16:30Free
SeeKhao San Road
Phra Sumen Fort
ป้อมพระสุเมรุ
Best viewed from Santichaiprakan Park, Phra Sumen Fort is one of two remaining towers of the historic city wall that once surrounded Rattanakosin Island completely (the other being Mahakan Fort). The historic city wall that followed the Chao Phraya River and Khlong Rop Krung used to have fourteen of these watchtowers, but twelve of them have not endured the test of time. Phra Sumen Fort was constructed in 1783 during the reign of King Rama I to protect the city from potential foreign naval invasions. The fort has an observation tower and two levels of battlements with its original canons still in place.
Free
SeeThonburi
Princess Mother Memorial Park
อุทยานเฉลิมพระเกียรติสมเด็จพระศรีนครินทราบรมราชชนนี
This beautiful park is built near the Wat Anongkharam community where Somdej Phra Srinagarindra Boromarajajonani, HRH the Princess Mother (the mother of King Rama IX) had resided during her childhood. The park comprises a full scale model of the Princess Mother's house. The old buildings were renovated as exhibition halls, displaying the life story of HRH the Princess Mother and the history of the Wat Anongkharam community that lives here.
garden 06:00-18:00 daily, museum 08:30-16:30 daily, hols closed
SeeSiam Square
Queen Savang Vadhana Museum
มูลนิธิสมเด็จพระพันวัสสาอัยยิกาเจ้า
The Sra Pathum Palace is an oasis of silence right behind Siam Paragon. It has been the permanent residence of HM Queen Savang Vadhana from 1916 till 1955, and HRH Princess Sri Nagarindra has also lived here. When HRH Princess Sri Nagarindra passed away, it became the residence of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. She turned one building into a museum that honours the Queen Grandmother and shows her contributions to Thai society. The museum starts in the exhibition hall, that shows HM Queen Savang Vadhana's biography, and then moves to her residence, the Phra Tamnak Yai building. Make a reservation in advance and request an English-speaking guide (at no extra cost).
Fri Sat 10:00-16:00150 baht
SeePhahonyothin
Royal Thai Air Force Museum
พิพิธภัณฑ์กองทัพอากาศ
An oddball collection of planes and helicopters ranging from WW1 era biplanes to a JAS Gripen jet fighter with some being the last of their kind. You can get inside some exhibits. English signage has improved over the years and now narrates also RTAF history. There is a gift shop and a canteen serving very cheap Thai food.
Daily 09:00-16:00Free
SeeYaowarat and Phahurat
Samphanthawong Museum
พิพิธภัณฑ์ท้องถิ่นกรุงเทพมหานคร
This community museum is dedicated to the early Chinese immigrants in Bangkok. Pictures and text in Thai and English give the visitor an overview of the history of this ethnic group and their lives and contributions to Yaowarat (part of which is also called Samphanthawong District). There are pictures to see what Sampheng Lane was like about one hundred years ago. An interesting museum if you want to get a deeper understanding of the area.
Mon-Fri 08:00-16:00Free
SeeRattanakosin
Sanam Luang
สนามหลวง
When Rattanakosin was established as Siam's capital, King Rama I designed this vast open field between the northern wall of the Grand Palace and the eastern wall of the former Wang Na Palace. At that time, the ground was a rice field sometimes used for royal crematoria. The ground was called "Thung Phra Men", which means crematorium ground in Thai. Considering that name was inauspicious, King Rama IV renamed the ground "Thong Sanam Luang", or the royal ground, and all rice farming there was ceased. Later, King Rama V had Wang Na's eastern wall demolished and enlarged Sanam Luang to its current size. The place has been used as the crematorium ground for kings, members of the royal family and nobility, in addition to being a royal sporting ground. 365 tamarind trees are placed around it. Sanam Luang is Bangkok's equivalent of a 'speaker's corner' where the people get together to talk politics. In recent history, the ground has been used for political rallies and demonstrations, such as the yellow and red shirt protests in the late 2000s. At December 5th, the birthday of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej, literally a million people come here to celebrate his birthday. Every night, a flea market is held on the streets surrounding it.
Free
SeeKhao San Road
Santichaiprakan Park
พระที่นั่งและสวนสาธารณะสันติชัยปราการ
This small, green park has a great view of the Chao Phraya River and the modern Rama VIII suspension bridge that crosses it. There's an open-air pavilion, the Phra Sumen Fort and (supposedly) the last two lamphu trees of the area (these trees used to be all over Banglamphu, as that's where the district got its name from). Activities held in the park include Thai classical music, juggling and (at 18:00) aerobic exercises. The park has also become a gathering place for breakdancers to exchange their techniques.
05:00-22:00 dailyFree
SeeRattanakosin
Saranrom Park
สวนสราญรมย์
This park was created as a royal garden in the Saranrom Palace, built in 1866 by King Rama IV. He wanted to use it after he stepped down as a monarch, but died before it was completed. When King Rama V took over, he gave the palace to his younger brothers, and turned the park into a zoo. When he built the Dusit Palace in the early 20th century, he moved all the animals to the Dusit Zoo. The park then became a property of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, before being turned into a public park in 1960. The basic layout still resembles its design by King Rama IV. It is a lush garden created around a lake, home to glasshouses, ancient trees and wooden pagodas. A great place to relax and escape the heat. After work, many locals run around the paths for exercise or do aerobics on (very) loud music. There's also a table tennis table and always someone who wants to play. At the south end of the park is a marble monument dedicated to HM Queen Sunantha Kumareerat and HRH Prince Kannaporn Phetcharat, who died in a boating accident during the reign of King Rama V.
05:00-20:00 dailyFree
DoRatchadaphisek
Siam Niramit
สยามนิรมิต
A state-of-the-art cultural performances centre, which uses modern technology integrated with old fashioned drama to depict the history of each region of Thailand. The story also includes depictions of hells, the forest of Himmaphan, heavens and lands beyond imagination from Thai literature, all of which are influenced by Thai common beliefs. There is also a spectacular performance of Thailand's arts and cultural heritage. The show is staged by more than 150 performers.
Daily, 20:001,500 baht
SeePratunam
Suan Pakkad Palace
วังสวนผักกาด
This complex of five Thai-style houses was once the residence of one of Thailand's leading art collectors, Prince Chumbhot of Nagara Svarga. It houses an extensive collection of Asian art and antiques, including items from the prehistoric Ban Chiang civilization, and an impressive collection of sea-shells. The Khon Museum, about the traditional Thai masked dance, and the Traditional Thai Music Museum have also been established here. Sometimes known as the "Lettuce Farm Palace" in English after a too-literal translation of the name.
09:00-16:00 daily100 baht
EatThonburi
Supatra River House
สุภัทรา ริเวอร์ เฮ้าส์
This luxurious restaurant is in the traditional Thai residence of Khunying Supatra Singholaga, a successful businesswoman who started the express boat service in Bangkok and a leading figure in women's rights. There is a small museum dedicated to her art collection inside the building. On the menu are Thai and seafood dishes, so you might want to try the fried river prawn with tamarind sauce. There is a great view of the Chao Phraya River, especially at night when the Grand Palace is beautifully lit. Thai dance shows are given on Saturday nights at 20:30. Make a reservation beforehand.
11:30-14:30, 18:00-22:30 daily1,000-2,000 baht
DrinkThonburi
Taling Bar
ตลิ่งบาร์
This is a simple chill-out bar and restaurant with views of the Chao Phraya River. At night, the Grand Palace is beautifully lit. It has been rebuilt with a much larger surface area. You can have a beer, cocktail or a dinner at this place before heading for Khao San Road. Apart from a great view, it is a good way to get a taste of Thonburi's local nightlife. Free fried peanuts are offered, and live music starts at 20:30 every night. You can also have dinner in the evening.
16:00-00:00 daily
SeeYaowarat and Phahurat
Tang To Kang Gold Shop
พิพิธภัณฑ์ทองคำห้างทองตั้งโต๊ะกัง
Chinatown is one of Bangkok's oldest districts and about 14% of the buildings have been designated as historical landmarks. Tang To Kang is one of them, an interesting colonial-style building and actually the oldest gold shop of Bangkok (which is difficult to believe now with so many gold shops scattered over the district). If you want to see the gold museum, you have to make an appointment two days ahead.
Mon-Sat 09:30-16:00Free
SeeRattanakosin
Tha Phra Palace
วังท่าพระ
Just outside of the Grand Palace, Wang Tha Phra Palace is now a part of Silpakorn University, where many artists started their career in the arts and humanities. In August 2010, Tha Phra Palace celebrated its 200th anniversary since its founding, and many home-grown artists were invited to make a painting about it. King Rama I built the palace for his nephew Prince Kasattiyanuchit, and since then, it has been a residence of many high-ranked princes, including King Rama III who lived here when he still was still known as Prince Krommuen Jesadabodin. The last prince to live here was Prince Naris, who moved out in 1934 when the palace was turned into an art school. The palace is a combination of Thai and European-style buildings. Just walking around the campus is a fun activity, as usually there are some art projects by students going on. 50 baht gets you into the library, which has plenty of English-language books about the Grand Palace, art, culture, religion, architecture and travel. Also in the Wang Tha Phra compound are the Silpa Bhirasri National Museum and the Art Centre Silpakorn University.
09:00-19:00 dailyFree
SeePratunam
Thai Labour Museum
พิพิธภัณฑ์แรงงานไทย
This museum is located at the former office of the labour union of the State Railway of Thailand. On display are items showing the 300-year history of the Thai labour movement. There is also a library with books and research reports on labour. You must call in advance if you plan on visiting with a group.
Wed-Sun hols 10:00-16:30Free
SeeRatchadaphisek
Thai Life Permanent Exhibition Hall
หอไทยนิทัศน์
Displays the history of the Thai people and aspects of Thai culture, evolving from pre-history up to the present day. It mostly focuses on the struggles of the Thai people to stay independent. The exhibition is divided into five topics covering the history of Thai culture, important archaeological sites in Thailand, world civilization, the origins of the Thais, and Thai language and literature. The information is told in a presentation using computer generated imagery, photography, slide-presentations and even puppets.
Mon-Fri 09:30-16:30Free
EatSukhumvit
The Gardens of Dinsor Palace
Set in the grounds of a former royal mansion in Ekkamai, this restaurant is surprisingly affordable for its luxurious setting. There is a large variety of dishes, their sophisticated French mains are particularly worth it. While not very well known among individual visitors, it does attract tour groups, which could negatively affect the otherwise splendid atmosphere.
08:00-23:00 daily500 baht

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Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Bangkok (CC BY-SA 4.0).