Ancient City and the Erawan Museum are both in Samut Prakarn Province, which is just 45 minutes away from the heart of Bangkok.
You can take the BTS (Sky train) to Bearing station and then take a taxi to the Museum (Erawan) or to the Ancient city or try the world’s largest crocodile farm (also nearby)!
Both places, The Ancient City and the Erawan Museum have the same owner/creator, Khun Lek, an eccentric Thai millionaire; he was also the owner of the Sanctuary of Truth (Amazing Teak Mansion in Pattaya).
The Ancient City or Ancient Siam
(Admission 500 baht or ~$16 คนไทย ท่านละสามร้อยห้าสิบบาท)
Open: 8am- 5pm (but should get there before 3pm).
Ancient Siam is a great way to spend half a day or a full day. It is designed as a garden museum or a cultural park, so it’s not about fake or real, but about representation of buildings and historical monuments from all over Thailand.
Visitors can walk, bike on provided bikes (free – or bring your own bicycle!), or get around in golf carts for a small fee (~200-500 bath rent fee).
The park is spread over a huge area in the shape of Thailand and as such is very informative in giving tips for visiting other parts of the country and some parts of Thai’s neighbors!
There is also a “Floating Market” with restaurants with plenty of shady pagodas provided for lots of opportunities to stretch out and dose off for a while.
It’s nice to see all the things about Thailand in one place! And it’s also a nice WORK OUT (if you walk or bike!!!)
Erawan Museum (Admission 300 Baht or ~$10 คนไทย ท่านละหนึ่งร้อยห้าบาท)
Open: 8am- 5pm (but should get there before 3pm).
This museum is well-known for its giant three-headed elephant. The elephant’s massive body is made of pure bronze, and set on the top of a huge round base painted in pastel pink, 43-metre tall sculpture.
This huge three-headed elephant is a landmark, even though surrounded by heavy expressway traffic but you can see them even on the high expressway!
Inside the museum (maybe belly of three-headed elephant!), there is beauty everywhere you look. Especially, the fabulous stained glass ceiling.
Take the staircase to the upper level to heaven!
The outer park has several ornamental ponds with fish and turtles, lots of pagodas, lovely flowers, butterflies…
Hard to imagine but this project is amazing!
As these places both share the same owner, sometimes they have promotion, you buy only the Ancient city ticket but you can visit Erawan museum for free (check promotion tel.02 371 3135 or email us).
“Stunning, crazy, trippy, beautiful”
FYI – there is a crocodile farm almost opposite (about 1 K) from the Ancient City, check out the show schedule, and you’ll make your one day worth the trip here in Samut Prakarn!!!
