The Office of National Museums, Fine Arts Department, Ministry of Culture, Thailand
The Office of National Museums, ONM, under the Fine Arts Department, was established in 2001. The Office would like to introduce worldwide three elite national museums administrated by ONM.
THE NATIONAL MUSEUM BANGKOK
Located at the Palace of the Front, the museum building used to be the residence of five viceroys. It wasbuilt in 1782 at the same time as the Grand Palace. After the palace was vacant, the king graciously moved Royal Museum from the pavilion in the Grand Palace to this palace respectively in the name of "Museum for Bangkok" in 1926 and "National Museum Bangkok" in 1934.
THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF THAILAND
The National Gallery of Thailand officially opened on August 8, 1977, to collect, preserve, and display artworks related to visual arts, both created by notable native artists and foreign artists, and serves as a publicizing center on Arts.
The architectural style of the buildings by western Neo-Classical is inspired by the machine factory's plant, located in Birmingham, United Kingdom.
THE ROYAL BARGES NATIONAL MUSEUM
The museum was originally a dock for warships and royal barges under the Bureau of the Royal Household and the Royal Thai Navy. During World War II, the royal barges were damaged by bombs. Later in 1947, the Fine Arts Department was assigned to repair and maintain the royal barges used in the royal ceremony. The royal barges significantly innovated in superb craftsmanship and were invaluable in artworks.