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Ancient Siam in Bangkok Blog Review




Ancient Siam or Muang Boran in Thai wouldn't be called as the World's Largest Outdoor Museum for nothing. After hastily leaving Erawan Museum via a taxi, I arrived in Ancient Siam after 30 minutes. The sun was so high and it is already 1 pm. I hurried to the main entrance to show my booking confirmation. The next thing I know is that I am ushered to join the next group joining the tram. I was so fortunate because the schedule says 1pm - 3pm then the next one is 3pm - 5pm. I don't want to wait that long because I want to go back to the hostel before midnight or earlier.. I immediately changed my clothes so that I would have a new set of style for my photos. 

Ancient Siam is home to chedis, palaces, bell towers, pavilions, temples, halls, floating markets, Buddha images and shrines. Most of these sites no longer exist so this is the best place to see it "real".

                              Book your discounted entrance ticket via Klook HERE


ancient siam museum thailand


I didn't know that Ancient Siam is so big! Shaped like Thailand, this outdoor park recreated 210 replicas of the country's historical sites so it is like you have been around Thailand already. Business Thai tycoon Lek Viriyapant built this museum along with Erawan Museum and Sanctuary of Truth in Pattaya. The sun is really up but I don't want to complain. I would rather sweat than get wet from the rain. Checking the poster at the main gate, I realized Muang Boran in Samut Prakan is so huge so I chose to take a tram with other guests. At first, they have stopped over to some spots but after that, not anymore. In about an hour we are done! The schedule says we finish at 3 pm but it is only past 2 pm. The guide said our last stop is at the floating market. We were asked if we are willing to go back to the main entrance with them or we would like to stay longer. Obviously, I wanna soak more.



ancient siam museum bangkok


Dissapointed,  after I drank my Thai iced milk tea, I decided to take a bike ride instead which is also free. You can grab one from the parking lot of bikes and ask for a map from the main entrance. However, I'm already in the middle of nowhere inside Ancient Siam. I don't want to go all the way back to get a bike (the tram left already) so I wandered and found an "abandoned" bike. I think this one is from a guest who changed her/his mind on the way and rode on a passing tram to reach the end.


                            
                                Book your discounted entrance ticket via Klook HERE



ancient siam museum samut prakan


Only when I was started biking, I have slowly appreciated the beauty of every historical site found inside this museum. I was able to stay longer to those that I liked to stare at because I owned my time already.  Take note. I DO NOT HAVE a map - it was a struggle for me to be able to find my way. For the first few hours, I let go of my worriness of getting lost. I just biked my heart out and even sing aloud because there's hardly a crowd there except on a passing tram filled with guests as well. I also see occassionally 1, 2 or 3 guests on a bike. I smile at them and wave hands.  Looks like all the people inside Muang Boran are all nice!



ancient siam musem bangkok thailand



                                     Book your discounted entrance ticket via Klook HERE


Sure, I don't have a map with me but every site blocks and roads have names of the sites so I was still able to see every bit of what's in there. Ancient Siam is is so big, I got literally lost.  Here's a list of 8 most recommended attractions at Ancient Siam:

The old market town or Talad Bok features traditional Thai houses which are taken from an old community in Yannawa, Bangkok. 
Sanphet Prasat Palace, Ayutthaya is the holiest temple on the site of the old Royal Palace in Thailand's ancient capital of Ayutthaya 
The Phra Kaew Pavillion  is  an octagon-shaped building taken from the carvings of an octagonally-shaped pavilion found on a wooden door panel of a scripture cabinet of the Ayutthaya period. The real one is found in National Museum, Bangkok.
The Floating Market represents the many floating markets that Thailand has:  Amphawa, Damnoen, Taling Chan, Khlong Lat Mayom and Bang Phli et cetera
Wat Chong Kham, Lampang Mae Hong Son  was built in 18th century having pillars covered in gold leaf. It also features a large Buddha image by Burmese craftsmen. 
The Wihan of Wat Chiang Khong, Chiang Rai is previously the assembly hall or wihan in Sukhothai and the Lanna Kingdoms. This is where many sacred presiding Buddha images are kept while the ubosot or ordination hall was used to hold religious ceremonies per formed by monks.  
Phra That Bang Phuan, Nong Khai boasts a beautiful chedi that locals believe holds 29 Buddha relics. 
Pavillion of the Enlightened is an architecture that symbolizes the story of 500 monks from different cultural backgrounds who attained Nirvana.



                                  Book your discounted entrance ticket via Klook HERE


More pics

muang boran museum thailand


ancient siam museum


ancient siam museum thailand


floating market in thailand



                               Book your discounted entrance ticket via Klook HERE


After hours of wandering without a map, I noticed that it is already 5pm from my mobile phone's time. I biked around and see if I can find my way but without a map I can't so I asked help and that's when I finally got to where I started! I'm not sure whether I was able to see everything given the time and I am all alone. I enjoyed though the feeling of carefree biking anywhere I want to and marvel at these beautiful copycats of Thailand's yesteryears.

Lek built this outdoor museum in Thailand to encourage his fellow Thais to value the history of their own. He aims to make the traditions and customs which are the foundation of Siamese civilization be known to the world.  From the 210 man-made sites: 19 were dismantled from its original location then moved here, 70 were duplicated / created based from historical evidences and 121 are creative designs of the founder himself.  

Yes, every inch in Ancient Siam is Insta - perfect. Bring your flower crown, hat and flowery dress here! Btw, I would highly recommend to buy the combo package with Klook since these two are just near each other.

Address: 296/1 Sukhumvit Road, Bangpoo, Samut Prakan 1028
Website: http://ancientcitygroup.net/ancientsiam/en
Tel no: 0-2709-1644-8
Directions: Take the BTS up to Bearing station. Take a bus with numbers 25, 511 or 536. Get off at Pak Nam market. Take a mini bus no. 36 to go Ancient Siam.

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