Bangkok’s 10 best museums for 2025 have officially been named

Right beneath the busy floors of Siam Paragon lies an underwater world waiting to be explored. Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World is one of Southeast Asia’s largest aquariums. Spread across multiple zones, it brings you face-to-face with over 400 species, including seahorses, clownfish, stingrays, and sharks. Visitors can stroll through an ocean tunnel surrounded by swimming sea creatures, catch feeding sessions, and even sign up for special experiences such as glass-bottom boat rides or behind-the-scenes tours.

Last year, Museum Pier opened its doors in Phra Nakhon and quickly became a new hotspot for art lovers. Housed in a sleek three-story building within the Tha Chang Wang Luang project, it serves as a showcase for modern and contemporary Thai art. Here, you can explore the evolution of Thai art from early foreign influences that shaped the scene over 200 years ago to the cutting-edge creations of today. The museum features rotating exhibitions that highlight this rich history and offers a platform for emerging artists to display their latest work.

Founded by well-known art collector Sermkhun Kunawong, this museum is more than just a gallery – it’s also his home. With a lifelong passion for art, Sermkhun began collecting in 1992. After the Bangkok Sculpture Centre, his previous project that operated from 2004 to 2022, closed its doors, the entire collection was moved into his private residence. Today, the space holds over 1,000 works, spanning from the Ayutthaya period to the present day. You’ll find paintings, sculptures, decorative art, photography and furniture, all thoughtfully curated. 

Bangkok Children’s Discovery Museum II is the second branch of the original museum in Chatuchak, created to bring playful learning. Designed to spark curiosity and creativity in young minds, this space is all about learning through play. Kids can experience the worlds of science, nature, art and technology through interactive exhibitions that invite them to touch, build, experiment and imagine freely. Whether they're splashing around in the water play zone, constructing their creations with giant blocks or joining fun workshops and outdoor games, the venue offers a safe, stimulating environment where learning feels like one big adventure.

Officially known as INVESTORY, this is Thailand’s first museum dedicated to financial literacy and investment education. Established by the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), its mission is to make complex financial and investment concepts easy to understand. Using modern technology, interactive exhibitions and games, the venue engages visitors of all ages. You might meet ‘Money Monsters’ that represent financial challenges and ‘SET Heroes’ who guide you through smart investment solutions. The museum has different zones where you can learn how the Thai stock market works, try out a stock market simulator and even plan your finances in a hands-on way.

This privately owned museum is home to some of Bangkok’s best contemporary art, blending traditional and modern styles that challenge the usual norms. With an affordable admission fee of just B280, it has over 20,000 square metres of exhibitions to explore. The 4,000-piece permanent collection is regularly refreshed so there’s always something new to discover every time you visit.

Housed in a historic former banknote printing building near Rama VIII Bridge, the Bank of Thailand Museum offers a journey through Thailand’s banking history and economic evolution on its second floor. Downstairs, you’ll find a cosy library where you can browse and discover new favourite reads. Thanks to its riverside location, the venue provides a peaceful spot to relax and enjoy scenic views while immersing yourself in a good book.

Located in Lat Krabang, Siam Serpentarium is Asia’s only immersive snake museum, offering interactive exhibitions and a theatrical experience. The Immersive Snake Museum takes you on a journey through a snake’s life – from birth to hunting and survival – with multimedia displays and a walk-through giant snake mouth. At Snake Planet, you can see over 70 species of snakes, including rare giants such as anacondas and golden cobras, in realistic habitats. The Naka Theatre brings ancient legends to life with light and sound shows, human-serpent performances and a thrilling bare-handed snake-catching demonstration.

Situated in the heart of the city, the Jim Thompson Art Centre is a four-storey building that encompasses 3,000 square metres and includes a cafe, library, art gallery and restaurant. The centre’s goal is to make art more accessible to the public, fostering a deeper appreciation for both contemporary and traditional works. It functions as a community space offering a varied experience for all visitors. In addition to its rotating exhibitions, it boasts a picturesque rooftop that provides an inviting space for photos and relaxation.

A welcome escape from the shopping frenzy of Siam, BACC is a soaring, white-walled sanctuary for contemporary creativity. Lose yourself for an afternoon exploring its nine floors of ever-changing exhibitions, which showcase everything from photography and sculpture to design and film by both Thai and international artists. It’s also a major hub for city-wide festivals like the Bangkok Art Biennale and the BKK Comics Art Festival.