Chiang Mai museums and galleries
The Hilltribe Museum is a great source of info
There are many museums in Chiang Mai that cover a wide range of intriguing subjects. Chiang Mai galleries are numerous also and many double as small coffee shops, displaying commendable art from students of Chiang Mai University Art Faculty.
Since Chiang Mai is also a handicraft centre, there are several galleries displaying contemporary pottery, antiques, and Lanna art. With more than 800 years of history encompassing Lanna culture, there is plenty to see in Chiang Mai museums.
Museums in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai National Museum: The main museum in Chiang Mai is more than 50 years old and is located beside the historic Wat Jed Yod. In addition to telling the story of Chiang Mai's past through pictures and displays, it also has a well-catalogued and preserved collection of artefacts, including Buddhist icons, pottery, weapons and household/agricultural items from Lanna society of the past. Recently renovated, Chiang Mai National Museum has two floors, with additional branches in Lamphun and Chiang Saen; equally-historic Lanna cities. Open: 09:00-16:00 Wednesday to Sunday (closed Monday, Tuesday and national holidays); entry 30 baht; 451 Super Highway Road, Chiang Mai, tel: (053) 221 308.
Tribal Museum of Chiang Mai: Established in 1965 and recently moved to new premises in the pretty Ratchamankla Park, this museum documents the lives and cultures of northern Thailand's unique hill tribes, including the Hmong, Karen, Akkha, Lisu, Lahu and Mien. An impressive range of colourful costumes, unusual accessories and jewellery, tools, utensils, musical instruments, and general rural paraphernalia is on display and the story of each of these ethnic minorities is well told, unique, and certainly worth visiting. Open: 09:00-16.30, Monday-Friday (closed Saturday, Sunday and holidays); Chotana Road, tel: (053) 210 872; entry: free.
Museum of World Insects and Natural Wonders: A bizarre and worthwhile trip for the whole family, with a commendable collection of astonishing insects of all shapes and sizes. Personal tours in English are available from the eccentric owner, with special emphasis on the extensive research into mosquitoes by him and his PhD-qualified wife (displaying all 422 varieties of mosquitoes found in Thailand). Open: 09:00-17:00 (daily); entry: adults 300 baht, children 100 baht; 72 Nimmanhemin Road, Soi 13, Chiang Mai, tel: (053) 211 891.
Traveller’s Tale: The creepiest museum in the World
A visit to Chiang Mai's Museum of World Insects reveals all manner of creepy crawlies including a fascinating display of (thankfully dead) spiders, beetles, bugs and unmentionables; guaranteed to intrigue the whole family ...more
Dara Phirom Museum: A curious insight into the life of a Thai Royal over 100 years ago, this cultural museum displays (almost entirely) the Chiang Mai home of Princess Dara Rasmi, who was a consort of King Chulalonghorn and half-sister of the chief Prince of Lanna at the time. She played a key role in maintaining cultural practices in Chiang Mai, collecting many beautiful pieces of furniture and art, with much of it shown at this small museum out of town. Open: 09:00-16.30 (closed Monday); entry: adults 20 baht, children under 12 free; Moo 1, T. Rim Tai, Mae Rim, tel: (053) 299 175.
Chiang Mai Air Museum: A curious collection of old relic planes left behind by the Japanese after WWII, plus more recent additions to the Royal Thai Air Force. Also features details on military history of the area, particularly during the past century. Open: 09:00-16:30 (closed weekends); entry: free; 10 Moo 3, Suthep Road, tel: (053) 202 617.
Mon-Fai Museum: A relatively low-key gem tucked away in Mae Rim suburb, this antique house has been lovingly preserved by Ajarn Rumpat Kodhikaew. This 'fabric museum' authentically recreates period costume of the Northern Thais through the ages, including the many variations of local tribes and their colourful outfits. It has frozen old Lanna culture in time, displaying costume and traditions that are seldom seen today. Open: 08:00-19:00; entry: free; 6 Moo 3, Soi 7, Patan Road, tel: (053) 110 145.
Museum of Dolls: A curious collection of Asian dolls, located in a fine, new building in the Baan Tawai crafts centre. It is associated with a production centre that specialises in dolls as a handicraft, and this charming museum displays all sorts of dolls, both old and new. It’s a bit out of the way but can be combined with shopping trip to Hang Dong. Open: 08:00-17:00; entry: free; 187/2 Moo 9, Makamluang Road, Sanpatong (Hang Dong-Sarapee Road, Baan Tawai district), tel: (053) 837 229, email: chiangmaidolls@hotmail.com.
Hall of Opium: Although this world-class museum is not in Chiang Mai, it presents a very good reason to visit the Golden Triangle - north of Chiang Rai. Built at a cost of more than US$1 million, this extensive museum provides an excellent multi-media background to opium, including its use in the region, the opium wars, and more. Open: 09:00-17:00; Golden Triangle Park, Sop Ruak, Chiang Rai province, tel: (053) 784 444-6, entrance: 300/200 baht for foreigner/Thai.
Galleries in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is a very good place to pick up exclusive interior décor art pieces, with plenty of Asian antique and art dealers in town. There are many shops promoting themselves as galleries, especially along Thapae Road and in the Night Market vicinity. Some have very beautiful, expensive and exclusive items on sale. In fact, Chiang Mai has a particularly arty atmosphere, largely due to Chiang Mai University art students who all dream of opening little coffee shops in order to display their work.
Here are just a few galleries in Chiang Mai in which to view art displays and pick up a few exclusive pieces:
Chiang Mai Faculty of Arts Museum: A busy venue for student art exhibitions, including performances and private displays. 239 Huey Kaew Road, tel: (053) 211 724, email: pongdej@chiangmai.ac.th.
Gong Dee Gallery: Home décor shop with superb taste in interiors and exclusive ranges. Open daily: 08:00-20:00, Showroom: 10, no. 12 Soi 1, Nimmanhaemin Road, tel: (053) 225 032.
Studio Naenna: Long-established purveyor of hand-woven silk and cotton fabrics and garments. Open: April to September, 08:30-17:00 (closed weekends), October to March, 08:30-17:00 (closed Sunday); 138/8 Soi Changkhian, Huay Keow Road, T. Chang peuak, tel: (053) 226 042, fax: (053) 217 707, email: emailus1@studio-naenna.com.
La Luna: Rotating exhibitions of works by Asian artists, some for sale. 190 Charoenraj Road, Watgate, tel: (053) 306 678, (089) 635 7667, email: laluna@lalunagallery.com.
Saktong Gallery: Fine Thai wood carving, rare Asian art pieces and Lanna-styled paintings. Baan Tawai.
Monkey Club: a trendy, outdoor restaurant that continually has an assortment of artists on display upstairs. Open: 17:00-01:00; Nimmanhemin Road, Soi 9, tel: (053) 226 997-8.
The Gallery: doubles as an upmarket restaurant in a 100-year-old riverside teak house with fine objects d'art on display. Open noon - midnight, 29 Charoenrat Road, tel: (053) 248 601-2, email: info@thegallery-restaurant.com.
Writers' Club and Wine Bar: frequently displays collections from commendable artists who are associated with Chiang Mai. 141/3 Ratchadamnoen Road, Prasing, email: info@chiangmaiwritersclub.com.
Updated: January 2012
