Offering displays of yesteryear usually comes with a pair of rose-colored glasses and a thin film of dust. In the House of Museums, ‘yesteryear’ is a range from the 60’s to the 80’s, with more than a few pieces dating even further back.
To be clear, arriving here is very difficult without a car (see directions below). I would save this one for when you’re heading to Nakhon Pathom or have a motorcycle / car to drive. For something a bit easier to reach, head to the Papaya Vintage Market in Bangkok.
Founded in 1989, the private collection starts on the first floor with a wide selection of toys and candy for sale. It’s not unlike the penny store your grandparents might wistfully remember, but it’s pretty close. The idea behind the place is to show the old lifestyle to younger folks, including some elements of recent history that haven’t entirely disappeared.
A few other things are on sale near the entrance — while it isn’t what you came to see, some stuff might be worth perusing before moving on.
Not to be confused with another cough drop that starts with HA and ends with S.
Foosball has been around for decades now…
There’s very little English around, but I’m not sure you’d be able to explain why the toothpaste is in a museum…
Now on the second floor, the focus shifts to a dentist office (not pictured), and some other common areas. It’s less about showing what’s distinctively Thai, and more about showing how things were. Look for the Chinese typesetter in the back left corner from the staircase.
Anyone else collect audio cassettes? A couple of these are still favorites…
Just in case you enjoy weighing your eggs (and no, that’s not a euphemism) — put the eggs on the little cup in the background and watch the arrow pop up to show the size. Clever.
In the same cabinet as the egg weigher — a UNESCO stamped children’s book in Thai. Any idea what era this was from?
A treat! Two videos look back at Bangkok’s 1942 flooding, along with a movie focusing on 1968 and the tram through town. Stick around for a third video — a silent Charlie Chaplin film definitely not from Thailand.
Now back to the first floor and a separate area on the other side of the coffeeshop — not sure why this cola remained unused, but at least it’s ‘Double Happy’…
What is THIS? Seriously, I have no clue — anyone know? It was found in the same room as a replica dentist’s office from the 1960’s or 1970’s.
Something you don’t see everyday.
It’s quite remote, and even with Google Maps and a local taxi driver we almost didn’t arrive. Once you’ve arrived, it’s quaint and well worth the visit. Make it part of a daytrip to Nakhon Pathom (the Thai Film Museum is also in the area), and get ready to take a ride into the past.
This one’s not part of the tour, but he followed us briefly once outside the museum.
Name: The House of Museums (บ้านพิพิธภัณฑ์)
Address: 13 Thanon Sala Thammasop, Thawi Watthana, Bangkok 10170 (GPS: 13.796604,100.391799)
Directions: This one is pretty far out — if you’re stuck with public transportation, I’d highly recommend taking a taxi there. Be advised that our taxi driver did not know where this was — we literally had to guide him on which ways to turn. You’ll be fine with a taxi app, honestly.
Theoretically, you can take bus 201 from Victory Monument BTS — specifically, the bus stop 50 meters from exit 2. This takes you all the way there, save for the last few hundred meters. You can also take 125, 164, 201, 515 from the main bus area around Victory Monument’s circle. These buses will take you most, but not all the way. You’ll want to exit at the Thonburi Hospital, about 500 meters past an expressway ramp (approximate GPS: 13.784028,100.395929).
The last 1.5 kilometers are walkable — from the bus stop, look to the overhead road. From the road you’re on, you’ll need to head right down the perpendicular road — I’d suggest finding a safe place to cross the road. Once you’re on it, this road will bend to the left — a sign that you’re close. Take the second left, stay straight, then bend left down the side road, and you’re there.
Hours: Saturday and Sunday ONLY 9am-5pm (closed during the week)
Admission: 40 baht — no difference in price whether you’re a local or a tourist.
Phone: 089–666–2008, or 089–200–2803
Website: tourismthailand.org
