The National Gallery

"The National Gallery in Bangkok, located on Chao Fa Road in the historic Phra Nakhon District, is one of Thailand's premier national museums, showcasing a rich array of art. Housed in the former Royal Thai Mint, the gallery's collection spans a variety of art forms, from traditional Thai pieces to Western-influenced portraiture from the 19th century, and extends into modern and contemporary works. The building itself, constructed in 1902 in the neo-Palladian architectural style by Italian engineer Carlo Allegri, was originally the Royal Mint, where imported European machinery was used to produce Thai currency until its closure in 1968. In 1974, the Treasury Department and Ministry of Finance handed over the Royal Mint building to the Fine Arts Department. The structure was then converted into the National Gallery, and it officially opened on August 8, 1977, coinciding with Queen Sirikit’s birthday celebrations. The gallery has since become an important institution for both Thai and international visitors, offering a deep dive into the country's artistic evolution and cultural history through its diverse exhibitions."