BANGKOK
100B; h8am-5pm Tues-Sun), a small but engag-
ing museum with multimedia exhibits on
the history of Bangkok’s Chinatown and its
residents.Talat Mai MARKET
(ตลาดใหม่; Map p 76 ; Soi 16/Trok Itsaranuphap, Th
Yaowarat; bus 73, 159, 507, MRT Hua Lamphong, river
ferry Tha Ratchawong) With nearly two centu-ries of commerce under its belt, ‘New Mar-
ket’ is no longer an entirely accurate name
for this market. Essentially it’s a narrow
covered alleyway between tall buildings, but
even if you’re not interested in food the hec-
tic atmosphere and exotic sights and smells
culminate in something of a surreal sensory
experience.OFFBEAT BANGKOK MUSEUMSIf looking at stuff ed tigers and Buddha statues is not doing anything for you, then con-
sider a visit to one of these quirky institutions.
» Ancient City (Muang Boran; Map p 153 ; http://www.ancientcity.com; 296/1 Th Sukhumvit, Samut
Prakan; adult/child 400/200B; h8am-5pm) Claiming to be the largest open-air museum
in the world, the site covers more than 80 hectares of peaceful countryside littered
with 109 scaled-down facsimiles of many of the kingdom’s most famous monuments.
It’s an excellent place to explore by bicycle (daily rental 50B), as it is usually quiet and
never crowded. Ancient City lies outside Samut Prakan, which is accessible via air-
conditioned bus 511 from Bearing BTS station at the east end of Th Sukhumvit. Upon
reaching the bus terminal at Pak Nam, board minibus 36, which passes the entrance to
Ancient City.» (^) Bangkok Folk Museum (Map p 80 ; 273 Soi 43/Saphan Yao, Th Charoen Krung; admission
free; h10am-4pm Wed-Sun; river ferry Tha Si Phraya) Consisting of three wooden houses,
this family-run museum is a window into Bangkok life during the 1950s and ’60s.
Particularly interesting is the traditional Thai kitchen.
» (^) Corrections Museum (Map p 60 ; 436 Th Mahachai; admission free; h9am-4pm Mon-Fri;
bus 508, klorng taxi to Tha Phan Fah) Learn about the painful world of Thai-style punish-
ment at what’s left of this former jail. Life-sized models re-enact a variety of horren-
dous executions and punishments, encouraging most visitors to remain law-abiding
citizens for the remainder of their stay.
» (^) Museum of Counterfeit Goods (Map p 56 ; %0 2653 5555; http://www.tillekeandgibbins.com/
museum/museum.htm; Tilleke & Gibbins, Supalai Grand Tower, 1011 Th Phra Ram III; admission
free; h8am-5pm Mon-Fri by appointment only; MRT Khlong Toei & access by taxi) This private
collection displays all the counterfeit booty that has been collected by the law firm
Tilleke & Gibbins over the years. Many of the fake items are displayed alongside the
genuine ones.
» (^) Songkran Niyosane Forensic Medicine Museum & Parasite Museum (Map
p 60 ; 2nd fl, Forensic Pathology Bldg, Siriraj Hospital, Th Phrannok, Thonburi; admission 40B;
h9am-4pm Mon-Sat; river ferry Tha Wang Lang) This gory institution contains the various
appendages and remnants of famous murders, including the bloodied T-shirt from
a victim who was stabbed to death with a dildo. The adjacent Parasite Museum is
also worth a visit, much for the same reasons as above. The easiest way to reach the
museum is by taking the river-crossing ferry to Tha Wang Lang (on the Thonburi side)
from Tha Chang. At the exit of the pier, turn right to enter Siriraj Hospital, and follow
the signs to the museum.
» (^) Thai Human Imagery Museum (Map p 153 ; http://www.rosenini.com/thaihumanimagery/
english.htm; Nakhon Chais, Nakhon Pathom; admission 200B; h9am-5.30pm Mon-Fri, 8.30am-
6pm Sat & Sun) Contains an exhibition of 120 lifelike wax sculptures. A group of Thai art-
ists reportedly spent 10 years studying their subjects and creating the figures, which
range from famous Buddhist monks of Thailand to Winston Churchill. The museum is
outside town at the Km 31 marker on Th Pinklao-Nakhon Chaisi. Any Nakhon Pathom–
Bangkok bus or minivan can drop you off here.