Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall: An Enduring Era in Detail
Nida Tunsuttiwong
For over 100 years, Ratchadamnoen Avenue has played host to many significant historic events, so when the Crown Property Bureau was searching for a suitable location to site a museum about the Rattanakosin Era (1782-present), it soon identified as its first choice an old building located on the avenue's central stretch, known as Ratchadamnoen Klang.
The Nitas Rattanakosin Museum, which is also known as the Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall, opened its doors to the public on March 9, 2010. Since the word Rattanakosin refers to precious gems, the museum's logo features an elaborately-designed square that features nine colors, representing the auspicious gemstones of chrysoberyl, diamond, emerald, garnet, moonstone, ruby, sapphire, topaz and zircon.
While the exhibition hall will eventually have nine rooms, only seven are currently open with the other two scheduled to open next year. Each room features exhibits relating to different aspects of the Rattanakosin Era.
Hi-Tech Hardware
Although the museum deals with the past, it does so using the very latest equipment, such as various state-of-the-art multimedia and interactive technologies so that the experience is not only educational, but also highly entertaining. For example, a 'four dimensional' multimedia presentation, which is held in a small theater called the Grandeur Rattanakosin Room, features not only audio and video, but also allows members of the audience to experience the presentation by using touch and smell.
In the next room – Prestige of the Kingdom – secrets are revealed pertaining to the creation by artisans of Wat Phra Kaew ('Temple of the Emerald Buddha'). Another room – Remarkable Entertainment – explains various forms of traditional Thai performance art, including khon (a masked dance drama).
There is even a 360° cinema presentation, which allows viewers to experience some of these traditional performances in an entirely new light.
Pomp and Ceremony
A visit to the Renowned Ceremonies Room allows visitors to learn more about official Royal ceremonies, such as the Royal Barge Procession and the Royal Ploughing Ceremony. This location also provides an insight into the hugely diverse range or architectural styles, featuring both Chinese and Western influences, found among the houses, palaces and temples built in the kingdom since the Rattanakosin Era get began.
In the last two rooms – known as Impressive Communities and Sightseeing Highlights – I learned a huge amount about the communities residing on Rattanakosin Island and about the various touristic attractions found there.
On the top floor is a small coffee shop, which also provides visitors with an impressive panoramic view of Ratchadamnoen Avenue and nearby attractions, including the Golden Mount, the temple of Wat Ratchanatda, Loha Prasat (the 'Metal Palace') and the impressive Royal Maha Jesadabodin Pavilion.
If you're curiosity has still not been satisfied by this stage, I suggest heading for the Nitas Rattanakosin Library, where you'll find even more information regarding the Rattanakosin Era. This is located on the mezzanine level, just above coffee shops and souvenir store located on the first floor.
The Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall opens from Tuesday through Friday from 11 am to 8 pm and on weekends and public holidays from 10 am to 8 pm. Admission costs 200 baht for adults and 50 baht for children. A 50% discount on entry is available through until year-end.
For further information, contact Tel: +66 (0)2 621 0044, or visit http://www.nitasrattanakosin.com.
Transport Connections:
Bus: Buses that pass the Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall include regular (non air-conditioned) bus numbers 2, 3, 9, 15, 31, 33, 39, 42, 47, 59, 60, 64, 68, 70, 79, 82, 86, 157, 201 and air-con bus numbers 503 and 509.
POI: 13.75599, 100.504
Credit: TAN Network (www.tannetwork.tv)
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