Opera houses and theaters
Bangkok Playhouse
It is located on Phetchaburi Road and has modern plays on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Chalerm Krung Royal Theater
Regular performances of musicals and plays are given here.
Joe Louis Theater
It is on the site of the Suan Lum Night Bazaar. The so-called Ramayana epic, the classic Thai puppet show, is performed here. The artists use the traditional stick puppets that Joe Louis has been making since 1950.
National Theater
Constructed from Thai and Western architectural elements, this building shows performances of traditional and classical dance in Thailand as featured on a2zdirectory. The current renovations will be completed by the end of 2006.
Patravadi Theater
This beautiful theater is located on Wang Lung Pier and was founded in 1992 by Patravadi Mejudhon, an award-winning film and stage actor. The program is extremely varied. There are two theaters in the complex: a covered open-air theater with 450 seats and an indoor theater with 100 seats. Classical and modern dance from Thailand will be performed. The complex is also worth a visit for those who don’t like theater, as it includes beautiful gardens, photo galleries and shops. For more information, go to: www.patravaditheatre.com
Queen Sirikit National Convention Center
Here you can see and hear Thai and international performances (dance, ballet, music). The center is located on Ratchadaphisek Road. You can find out more at: www.qsncc.co.th
Thailand Cultural Center
This is where Thai and international cultural performances take place, such as classical music, ballet, dance and pop concerts. Usually the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra performs. More information about the Thailand Cultural Center is available at: www.thaiculturalcenter.com
The Bangkok Symphony Orchestra website: www.bangkoksymphony.com
Museums
Bangkok Doll Museum
This shows dolls that are locally made.
Ban Kampthieng
The house is 200 years old and shows a collection of work tools that were once used by Thai fishermen and farmers. Further information is available at: www.siam-society.org
Jim Thompson’s Thai House
At Khlong Saen Saeb you can see a compilation of many wooden houses built in the old Thai style. It is a small museum. Jim Thompson was responsible for this, and his broad collection of Asian art objects is exhibited here. Thompson revived Thai silk processing at the end of World War II and made it famous. Thereupon he disappeared under mysterious circumstances, nowhere to be found.
Royal Thai Decoration Museum
On the lower floor of this museum there is a collection of royal decorative items.
National Gallery
Directly opposite the National Museum is the National Gallery. It shows paintings by famous Thai masters.
National Museum & Royal Boats
The museum is the largest in Southeast Asia. An impressive collection of works of art and artifacts is on display. The exhibits cover the Thai Bronze Age until today. The individual buildings of the museum complex are impressive. The national museum also includes the boathouses that are located on Khlong Bangkok Noi and are still used for the highest celebrations. You can marvel at the royal barges, which are decorated with artistic ornaments.
Queen’s Gallery
Here, exhibits by contemporary Thai artists are exhibited on four floors.
Universities
Chulalongkorn University
The university is one of six and one of two universities in Bangkok that are part of an international research network. It was named after King Rama V. Chulalongkorn and is one of the oldest universities in Thailand. Rama VI. founded it in 1917. 28,000 students are currently studying at it.
Kasetsart University
It was the first agricultural university in Thailand and is very prestigious in the country. It was founded in 1943. It is currently attended by around 47,000 students.
Silpakorn University
This university is Bangkok’s art academy. It was founded in 1921. It is near Wat Phra Kaeo.
Thammasat University
In 1934 it was opened as the “University of Moral Science and Politics”, where it is now known as the “People’s University”; this goes back to the efforts to enable all Thais a university entrance. The most important Thai personalities from the judiciary, business and politics graduated here. In addition to Chlalongkorn University, Thammasat University is affiliated to the international research association.