Day Trips From Bangkok Thailand

I love Thailand. It's the one country I have returned to multiple times in my travels and have yet to be bored. For most, visiting Thailand usually means hitting the big city of Bangkok, the island beaches of Samui or Phuket, or the mountainous region of Chiang Mai. While these are certainly worth exploring, it can be exciting to go beyond the norm and see other aspects of Thailand you may not have heard. One of those is the Muang Boran Museum, commonly called Ancient City. 

What is the Murang Boran Museum (aka: Ancient City)? 

According to the museum site, Ancient City was the dream of Mr. Lek Viriyahbhun (1914-2000) who longed to collect and preserve Thai art and artifacts. Through his vision, Ancient City was realized. Sprawling across 316 acres, numerous heritage buildings are housed in a park like setting; the park showcases the architectural style, artwork, and artifacts across Thai's rich history (Muang Boran Museum, 2018). In short, it's a vast outdoor museum split into five regions, each highlighting areas in Thailand: 

  • Northern
  • Northeastern
  • Central 
  • Southern
  • Suvarnabhumi

Visitors can enter buildings, see murals inside, or enjoy the outside facades from each Thai region. In addition, there are restaurants, snack & drink stalls, and opportunities to wear traditional clothing of various regions while having photos taken at the park. 

Where is Ancient City? 

Located less than an hour outside of Bangkok, Ancient City makes a perfect day trip away. Most take a taxi to get there, but I took the local way - via BTS (skytrain) then switched to a Baht Bus (a small truck with bench seating in the bed). Here's how: 

1. Ride the BTS Sukhumvit Line south towards the last station - Kheha. (BTS Maps)

2. At Kheha station, follow signs to Exit 3. You'll catch the Baht Bus #1140 at the bottom of the stairs of the exit. Cost? About 20 Baht. The ride will take 10 minutes. 

Want to tell the driver your stop in Thai? Use this simple phrase: 

Bai Moo-ang Boh-ran krap/kha. 

Translation: To Murang Boran, please.

TIP: Use "krap" if you are a male speaker; use "Kha" if you are female.

3. (An option) You can walk from the station to the museum - it will take about 48 minutes - and there is a nice footpath/bike path most of the way. After visiting Ancient City, we returned this way, on foot, but be sure to carry water with you if walking. The route has little shade and a few police officers asked us if we were lost or needed help (I guess because most tourists don't walk from Ancient City back to the BTS station). 

Use this Google Map to assist you. 


Scenes From My Visit to Ancient City

I was accompanied by Coach DJ, who had never been to Thailand before. Despite this being my third visit, it was still awe-inspiring. 

We spent the day on rental bikes, meandering through the park regions and stopping along the way to take photos, explore buildings, or grab a snack. The park had grown tremendously since the last time I was in Thailand (last visit was in 2012 with my parents; this visit: 2023). All photos below were taken by me: 

                

 


  

References & Travel Info: 

Visit the official site of Murang Boran Museum (Ancient City). Select your preferred language in the upper right corner of that site. 


Ancient City is open daily from 9:00 - 19:00. Tickets can be purchased on site for 700 Baht (Adults) or 350 B (Child). (Murang Boran Museum, 2018). 


You can walk the park, or, rent a golf cart or bicycle (the latter is my recommendation). Bicycles come with a bike lock; be sure to return the bike and lock to receive your deposit back at the end of the day. To rent a bicycle for the day is about 50 Baht.


Allow a minimum of six hours to fully explore the museum and park grounds. Bring sunscreen, a hat, or a parasol to minimize sun exposure. 


Budget Ranking: $$
You can enjoy the entire day here for about 1000-1200 Baht per person ($40 CAD/AUS; $30 USD/EU). This budget includes: baht bus to/from the museum, your entrance ticket, bicycle rental, food, and drinks. 


Go Down the Rabbit Hole: 

Learn more about Ancient City's founder, Mr. Lek Viriyahbhun (Murang Boran Museum, 2018). 



Updated November 2025

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