Tribal Museum Chiang Mai

A visit to the Tribal Museum is strongly recommended as an introduction to the cultures and practices of the current hill tribes of northern Thailand. This museum serves as an extensive resource center for the tribal cultures, and the visitor will certainly leave with a better understanding of each hill tribe. It is unique and compact, and together with the nearby National Museum of Chiang Mai, can be viewed in half a day. It was established in 1965 by the Department of Public Welfare of the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare of Thailand, and moved to the present sight in 1997. The first floor is of most interest to the visitor.


Location:      Ratchamangkla Park, Chotana Road Muang, (or highway no 107) Chiang Mai 50300
               
Hours:          Open Monday to Friday 9.00 am to 4.00 pm

Chiang Mai Doll Museum

The museum was founded by Khun Yuthaya Boonprakhong. It started from the place producing dolls for export. Later on, a building connected to the factory was constructed. Visitors can view how the dolls are made, buy souvenirs and view the exhibition. Furthermore, other products, such as clothing and furniture are also for sale. The materials for making the dolls are cloth for costumes and decorations and tile for the bodies and heads.

The exhibition displays dolls or a collection of dolls in cabinets without any further interpretations of the contexts. Only some displays are accompanied by paintings of the background related to local customs, e.g., the marriage ceremony.

Besides traditional dolls, some of them are created from characters in the Ramayana Epic as well as local and international celebrities. There is also a collection of foreign dolls from other countries. In the future, doll making will be relevant to current events because there will be an exhibition of dolls in the likeness of international political figures, such as, Bin Laden, George W. Bush and Saddam Hussein.

The museum may be moved to the city center because the owner wants it to become a tourist attraction. It is interesting to follow the development of the museum, whether it will become a cultural learning center or maintain its current showcase. From the observation, the owner is enthusiastic in creating new exhibitions and the change may lead to more learning activities.

Open: Daily 8:00 - 17:00
Entry fee: By donations

Chiang Mai National Museum

Located on the Chiang Mai-Lampang Super Highway near Wat Chet Yot, the museum has been designated by the Fine Arts Department as a regional center for education and preservation of the art and culture of Chiang Mai and upper northern Thailand the Lanna Kingdom. Their Majesties the King and Queen graciously presided over the opening of the museum on 6 February 1973. The museum was built according to traditional northern architecture, with a Lanna Thai rooftop. Interesting exhibitions include:

Topic 1: The natural and cultural background of the Lan Na Kingdom including the geology, ecology, geography and prehistoric settlement of the north.
Topic 2: The history of the Lan Na Kingdom from the establishment of Chiang Mai city to its peak and decline under Burmese control from 1558 to 1769.
Topic 3: The city of Chiang Mai under the Kingdom of Siam, from the time Chiang Mai regained its freedom from Burma, to the reestablishment of Chiang Mai city in 1782.
Topic 4: Trade and economy of the Lan Na Kingdom from 1782 to 1939.
Topic 5: The modern way of life and social development: agriculture and industry, banking, international relations, education and public health.
Topic 6: The development of the Lan Na Art Style, and the history of art in Thailand from the Dvaravati period to the present day.


Operating day: Wednesday - Sunday
Operating time: 09.00 - 17.00
(closed on National Holidays)