With its motto of "Play and Learn = Joy," Museum Siam (musemsiam.org; 100฿) is a surprisingly fun stop for the museum-phobe. Blending plenty of information with numerous interactive displays, the museum is housed in an Italian-designed neo-classical building that once served as the Ministry of Commerce. The museum was founded in 2007 with the purpose of exploring Thailand’s national identity and culture, with a particular focus on making said exploration both engaging and accessible to young people.
That means a variety of interactive media exploring definitions of "Thainess" – namely, how the clothing, customs and cuisine of Thailand have developed – via a series of rooms. There are also exhibits on architecture, music, TV, pop culture, religion, ethnic minorities, relations with Thailand’s neighbors and the impact of the west on Thailand. The result is a highly satisfying and worthwhile trawl through Thai identity. Audio guides are available, and the museum is open from 10am to 6pm and is closed Mondays.
