The Royal Elephant National Museum, also known as Chang Ton National Museum, is a sight that brings together the past and the present. It tells the story of elephants as working companions and symbols of royalty. You are standing right in front of the museum. The walls are painted a soft cream color, and the roof has reddish-brown tiles. This building was completed in 1924, commissioned by the royal order of King Rama VI. It was originally meant to be an elephant hospital, where the royal elephants that worked for the King in processions, parades, and war could be treated for various ailments. One of the most famous elephants to be cared for here was “Phan Phiphop”, a majestic mammoth elephant who served in King Rama V’s army, even participating in the suppression of the Siamese Revolt in 1913. The museum now houses a significant collection of elephant-related artifacts, depicting their importance in Thai history and culture. There are fascinating exhibits on the history of elephants in Thailand, including paintings, sculptures, and models. You can also see various historical elephant harnesses, axes, swords, and other tools. This place isn’t just a museum – it’s a window into Thailand’s rich and often overlooked past. So let’s go inside the museum and see how important these magnificent creatures have been for centuries.
Garuda Museum
Behold the Garuda, a four-meter sculpture spreading its wings. This is the entrance to Southeast Asia’s one and only Garuda