Why should you go there and how do you do it right?

Anyone wanting a comprehensive, not just fleeting, experience of Thai history will find it here. The collections range from prehistoric cultures to the Rattanakosin era and are spread across several buildings of an 18th-century palace complex. Royal regalia, ceramics, Buddhist sculptures, weapons, and ceremonial objects are presented in a way that is easily understandable even without prior knowledge. Some reviewers find the collection somewhat small considering the size of the complex, and this is certainly a valid point. However, the architecture is undeniably impressive. The buildings themselves, in their various styles, are half the battle won.

Plan for at least an hour and a half, three if you read the signs. Most of the halls are air-conditioned, which is more important than you might think. The grounds are quite large, so bring water. It's best to arrive right at 8:30 a.m. if you want to take photos without other people in them, as it gets very crowded around midday.