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Closed until 30 Apr 2025
Thai Labour Museum
Thai Labour Museum
4
Temporarily closedClosed until Apr 30, 2025
About
A museum of labour dignity and rights. Rediscover the struggles of the working class in Thailand, from the 'Sakidna' 1880s feudal era to the Siamese revolution of 1932, and the military dictatorships of the 1970s.
We're temporarily closed for renovations and will reopen again on May 1st, 2025
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.0
27 reviews
Excellent
12
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9
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Nonglak L
Reading, UK275 contributions
Feb 2020
This museum is not that well know and is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10.00 until (I think) around 16.00. Admission is free but donations are welcomed. It may look closed when you arrive but ring the bell beside the front door. Within a minute a helpful woman appeared to unlock the door for me and switch on the lights inside (yes, otherwise it is dark). The museum consists of several small rooms followed by one larger one and it's probably logical to go round them clockwise in this way. It's a charming old-fashioned mixture of all sorts of things laid out, of which everyone is likely to find something of interest. I probably spent round about an hour looking round.
Written 1 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RobB1965
Bangkok, Thailand24 contributions
Feb 2022
A really interesting wander discovering the history of how Thai workers and socialists have been treated at work and in leisure over the years. Some excellent exhibits with descriptions in English. Despite the language barrier, a warm welcome and basic guidance of where to go. I believe it is run by volunteers. Please leave a donation.
To gain entrance ring the bell as there isn't always someone on reception.
To gain entrance ring the bell as there isn't always someone on reception.
Written 14 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hey Khun RobB,
Thank you so much for the review! I understand that this reply is over a year late but the museum is currently trying to spruce things up and renovate both offline and online, and that's how I've found your review here. The museum is 30 years old now, thriving with the support from our socialist and unionist friends, AND cool visitors like you.
To everyone else, please do ring the bell when you're at the door and always check the opening hours on the Facebook page beforehand. Our staff are also activists who'd have to attend events elsewhere sometimes.
Warm regards,
- Chalit "New" Ratapana
Thai Labour Museum volunteer
Email: tlm.thailabourmuseum@gmail.com
Written 10 February 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Robyn_the_devilled
Hobart, Australia29 contributions
Oct 2014 • Friends
My favourite museum in Bangkok.
This is my second visit and I will visit again, I am sure. This museum is amazingly educational and interesting and triggers as many questions as it answers. The displays start with slavery and serfdom and move to the current day. We were lucky to arrive mid workers' conference and even convinced our friendly, helpful guide to sing us 'solidarity forever' in Thai.
Yes, I confess, I even love the museum shop... I bought super cool tee shirts for family and friends.
The only downside is that it is hard to find... I recommend you find Makkasan train station (the one on land, not the airport link one with the same name). Put the train station to your left and walk about 300m. Then, voila!
This is my second visit and I will visit again, I am sure. This museum is amazingly educational and interesting and triggers as many questions as it answers. The displays start with slavery and serfdom and move to the current day. We were lucky to arrive mid workers' conference and even convinced our friendly, helpful guide to sing us 'solidarity forever' in Thai.
Yes, I confess, I even love the museum shop... I bought super cool tee shirts for family and friends.
The only downside is that it is hard to find... I recommend you find Makkasan train station (the one on land, not the airport link one with the same name). Put the train station to your left and walk about 300m. Then, voila!
Written 30 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bobby B
Fremantle, Australia116 contributions
Jan 2020
An excellent little museum about labour in Thailand from feudal times and slavery through the times of labour for wages with the arrival of Chinese coolies up to modern attempts to improve the condition of labourers and the lethal assaults on Thai workers and students by the Thai military such as in 1976 & 1992. Excellent historical exhibits touching on sensitive aspects of Thai history such as the Thai alliance with Japan in World War II and the death of so many labourers on the Thai-Burma railway. Outstanding exhibits on Thai cultural history.
The museum itself may seem old and low tech but then it relates to older, low tech times so that’s okay.
It’s at an obscure location beside the railway tracks near Makkasan Station – more than a 1 km walk from either Phetchaburi Station on MRT or Phayathai Station on BTS. There is an office in the back where the curators may be working and the reception desk may be unattended. There is a bell beside the door to ring to attract attention. Admission is free; there is a voluntary donation box by the reception desk.
There are wonderful sights to behold in Thailand where, as elsewhere, we can learn of the good works of monarchs and the ruling elite but don’t find so much about the labourers who were supporting their efforts – this museum addresses the stories of some of those labourers.
The information in this museum is not easily found elsewhere and I rate this as a 5/5 attraction. There is information here about those sensitive periods in Thai history when news was suppressed and Thai people asked what was happening. Fascinating!
The museum itself may seem old and low tech but then it relates to older, low tech times so that’s okay.
It’s at an obscure location beside the railway tracks near Makkasan Station – more than a 1 km walk from either Phetchaburi Station on MRT or Phayathai Station on BTS. There is an office in the back where the curators may be working and the reception desk may be unattended. There is a bell beside the door to ring to attract attention. Admission is free; there is a voluntary donation box by the reception desk.
There are wonderful sights to behold in Thailand where, as elsewhere, we can learn of the good works of monarchs and the ruling elite but don’t find so much about the labourers who were supporting their efforts – this museum addresses the stories of some of those labourers.
The information in this museum is not easily found elsewhere and I rate this as a 5/5 attraction. There is information here about those sensitive periods in Thai history when news was suppressed and Thai people asked what was happening. Fascinating!
Written 8 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lihaiwubi
Singapore32 contributions
Oct 2014 • Solo
If you want a change from the big museums in Bangkok showcasing state narratives, this small museum on the history of Thai labour movements helps fill in a missing voice in the museum scene. It documents the development and history of Thai labour from pre-colonial to present times, including topics such as the phrai system and key labour movement milestones and pioneers.
Personally I found the exhibits to be rather moving, especially the documentation on workers' rights in Thailand. The efforts are even more commendable considering the fact that the museum is entirely funded and maintained by unions, scholars and NGOs.
The museum is located about 15 minutes by walking from Phetchaburi MRT station. Admission free though donations are appreciated. Open from Wed- Sun, 10-5pm. Door was closed when we went. Just ring the bell and one of the workers at the museum will open up the building and turn on the lights and exhibits.
Personally I found the exhibits to be rather moving, especially the documentation on workers' rights in Thailand. The efforts are even more commendable considering the fact that the museum is entirely funded and maintained by unions, scholars and NGOs.
The museum is located about 15 minutes by walking from Phetchaburi MRT station. Admission free though donations are appreciated. Open from Wed- Sun, 10-5pm. Door was closed when we went. Just ring the bell and one of the workers at the museum will open up the building and turn on the lights and exhibits.
Written 18 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JonG88
Hong Kong, China43 contributions
Oct 2018 • Solo
This museum tells the history of the Thai working people, from the caste system, through waves of Chinese migration and labor organizing, on to the modern struggle for survival in the global capitalist economy. Along the way it talks about the political changes in Thailand, efforts to suppress labor groups, and tragedies like the suppression of the 1973 uprising and the Kader toy factory fire. Many displays are in English.
Budget about an hour. It's a tiny museum, seemingly run by labor organizers who are genuinely happy to have visitors. No entry fee but donations welcomed.
This museum is a 20 minute walk from the Erawan Shrine, not a very scenic walk but goes through an area with a lot of cheap restaurants. It's also readily accessible from BTS Ratchaprarop and MRT Phetchaburi stations.
Budget about an hour. It's a tiny museum, seemingly run by labor organizers who are genuinely happy to have visitors. No entry fee but donations welcomed.
This museum is a 20 minute walk from the Erawan Shrine, not a very scenic walk but goes through an area with a lot of cheap restaurants. It's also readily accessible from BTS Ratchaprarop and MRT Phetchaburi stations.
Written 11 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LearnAsIgo13
Johannesburg, South Africa135 contributions
Mar 2018 • Solo
If you're in Bangkok for only a few days this may not be the museum for you, but if you live here or have an interest in Thai history then this is the missing piece. I was fascinated by the information and materials available and spent one hour and 15 minutes enjoying the museum to myself.
On a recent visit to another museum I was surprised to hear the guide say Thailand has a caste system, similar to India. I almost didn't believe him. The Thai Labour Museum, however, provided a great deal of context to support that view.
I also left with a much deeper understanding of why King Rama V is still loved by the Thai people to this day, 100 years after his reign. Abolishing corvee and slave labour were reforms he implemented in addition to modernizing Thailand with roads, a postal system, telephones, etc.
It's open Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00-4:00 and as the other reviews say, just ring the bell.
On a recent visit to another museum I was surprised to hear the guide say Thailand has a caste system, similar to India. I almost didn't believe him. The Thai Labour Museum, however, provided a great deal of context to support that view.
I also left with a much deeper understanding of why King Rama V is still loved by the Thai people to this day, 100 years after his reign. Abolishing corvee and slave labour were reforms he implemented in addition to modernizing Thailand with roads, a postal system, telephones, etc.
It's open Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00-4:00 and as the other reviews say, just ring the bell.
Written 15 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BEEing_There
VICTORIA76 contributions
Feb 2017 • Solo
I'm glad that I read the other reviews, or else I might not have known to ring the bell. My "donation" must have been considered generous (100฿) since they gifted me a DVD!
Please note the following - this place is dark in places, and has no aircon. So - go in the morning and bring a flashlight (torch). The written info is in Thai and English. Unfortunately, some placards are low (which require bending down) and printed in black on a dark background - another good reason to bring some illumination.
There are plenty of artefacts and they are generally well displayed in separate rooms. The only issue I had was that they didn't seem to be chronically organized within each room - Not a big deal.
I spent well over an hour here and found it most interesting.
Please note the following - this place is dark in places, and has no aircon. So - go in the morning and bring a flashlight (torch). The written info is in Thai and English. Unfortunately, some placards are low (which require bending down) and printed in black on a dark background - another good reason to bring some illumination.
There are plenty of artefacts and they are generally well displayed in separate rooms. The only issue I had was that they didn't seem to be chronically organized within each room - Not a big deal.
I spent well over an hour here and found it most interesting.
Written 9 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
corkdave
Cork, Ireland319 contributions
May 2015 • Solo
When I eventually found this museum I was very disappointed to find it closed for the day. (Sign on the door said closed at 4.30pm) However before noticing the sign I had rung the doorbell and I was allowed in for a browse. What a privilege. The choice of materials was excellent with superbly written and illustrated history plus commentary. This is the only labour museum in Asia. What a story it tells, describing the relationship over time between the least powerful workers with the might of the economic systems in which they lived and were exploited. What a find!!!
Written 4 June 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Iratdog
Kerhonkson, NY1,350 contributions
Nov 2014 • Solo
Found this little gem off Makkasan train station. Seeing as how I was a proud Union member for the last 40 years I was very happy to find out there is a Labor Movement here in Thailand. I was quite surprised to see they even had the equivalent to our Triangle Shirt Waist Fire! Amazing how the world is so similar. It's not much but for me? Not to be missed
Written 18 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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