The best museums Thailand

This modern museum, located next to the war cemetery, was created on the initiative of an Australian survivor of the Japanese labour camps. It traces the history of the construction of the Siam-Burma railway, also known as the Death Railway, which became infamous in 1943. This establishment is a counterpart to the Jeath Museum. This museum, located just next to the POWs cemetery in the heart of the city centre, was set up thanks to long and methodical documentation searches. Its creation was primarily intended for the survivors and the memory of the victims. It traces in detail the history of the military operations launched in Asia by the Japanese. We learn that the Thai government of the time had signed a cooperation treaty with Japan in January 1942, and even declared war on the Allied Forces! Of course, most of it explains the cruel fate of these tens of thousands of men (Australians, English, Dutch and Americans, but also Malay, Indians, Thai and Chinese!) who died in atrocious conditions during the seventeen months (instead of the three years initially planned!) that the construction of this strategic railway took between 1943 and 1944. The models on display are remarkable, and the explanatory texts give an accurate idea of how things went. Allow at least one hour for the visit.

A short visit is required after having visited the Phimai Historical Park, as a complement.

The museum is the cultural heritage centre of the northeast of the country and displays objects found on site but also throughout southern Isaan. The collection includes: jewellery, ceramics, pottery, bronze statuettes, and beautiful carved lintels from the nearby ruins. The centrepiece of the collection is the stone statue of King Jayavarman VII of Angkor Thom that was found in Prang Bhramadhatta of Prasat Hin.

Opened in 2008, this history museum traces nearly 3 000 years of the history of Siam and therefore of Thailand by leading a course through the development of the Thai people and culture. Fun and intuitive course where visitors is brought to have doubts and find also in different rooms of the museum, especially on the history of the traditions and the origins of the people of southeast Asia, the interactions between the different regions and the different ethnic groups that make it. Informative.

The museum presents a very complete collection of the archaeological, historical and artistic treasures of Isaan in general and the Ubon Ratchathani region in particular. The exhibition is divided into 10 rooms: information on the Province, geography and geology, prehistory, Dharavadhi and Jenla cultures, Khmer culture, Thai-Laotian cultures, Ubolrachateen fabrics, local music, crafts and tools, and finally government systems and religions.

A visit to this beautiful Chinese-Portuguese style building - the Kuden Mansion, built by Penang craftsmen - is not lacking in interest for those who want to immerse themselves in the local folklore and social and religious (and therefore Muslim) traditions. Let us not forget that we are here in a border area with Malaysia. Costumes, weapons, furniture and other objects are on display. Count about an hour to visit this museum, a must if you pass by Satun.