Rama IX Museum, Thailand's largest environmental and ecological learning centre

The Rama IX Museum, the largest museum in Southeast Asia and the largest learning centre on the environment and Thailand's ecological system, has opened its doors to the public in northern Bangkok.

Description

Located in Pathum Thani in the north of BangkokThe museum is divided into three areas - 'Our Home', 'Our Life' and 'Our King' - which present a range of knowledge about human development, the environment, the country's ecological system and the dedication of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej to his people.

The 1.6 billion baht museum, built to celebrate the late king's contributions to technology and science, expects at least one million visitors a year.

A museum to continue the work of King Rama IX

The aim of the museum is to publicly extend Rama IX's principles of thought, methods of operation and implementation with scientific solutions to the problems of the people in many parts of the kingdom.

Its operational methods have attracted great interest from many other countries, and it is curious to learn and understand the importance and resolution of ecosystem, soil, water and forest management issues for sustainable development between humans and the natural ecosystem.

See also :
Self-sufficiency economy in Thailand, the gift of Rama IX

The Rama IX Museum was therefore established to facilitate the Thai people's access to deeper learning in understanding and awareness of the relationship between an important part of the world's natural ecosystem and Thailand's.

The intention to do so will help cultivate and stimulate public awareness of protection, preservation of the ecosystem and preparedness for future natural disasters using Her Majesty's inspiration and operational methods as a model.

The Rama IX Museum is currently presenting its exhibitions under the theme "The King and Sustainable Development" which contain key information and knowledge on :

• The influence of the solar system, our planet and the factors determining the differences in ecosystems around the world.
• The basic principles and problems of ecosystems both internally and in Thailand.
• The relationships and effects on the natural environment attributed to the living activities of humanity in the past, present and future.
• The scientific principles and operations for solving problems that have led to the development or improvement of people's activities and the solution of environmental problems.
• Sustainable water management in the Asia-Pacific region.

The exhibitions of this information and knowledge are divided into 6 sections as follows:

Section 1: Globalisation and adaptation of living organisms

The exhibition presents the origin of the world, the external and internal impacts and influences on living organisms and the evolution and adaptation of living beings to survive in different ecosystems.

Section 2: Ecosystems and diversity

Our planet is made up of different types of ecosystems resulting from their geographical and climatic zones linked together to form a large global system.

The relationship and balance between living organisms and environmental ecosystems is therefore divided into polar, temperate, desert and rainforest ecosystems, leading to levels of ecosystem balance.

Section 3: Water Resources Management

The exhibition presents the starting point and cycle of water, the importance of water and living organisms, both human and environmental, in relation to factors within living organisms, habitats, food resources and the origins of cultures, customs and ways of life.

It also reflects the alteration of water and its effects towards the global and Thailand causing the adoption of water management and resolution for sustainable living.

Section 4: Land management

The exhibition shows the history and birth of "Earth" going back to the time when humanity had used and shared the benefits of the land, having proper land management for sustainability after encountering problems with the use of land resources.

Section 5: Hall of Fame in honour of King Rama IX

The exhibits in the hall present the operational methods, vision of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the study of the causes of the problems and the plans to initiate his 3,000 royal projects with 8 patents available, including the recognitions of many organisations worldwide in his intelligence and the benefits of the royal projects extended to people in his kingdom and other countries.

Section 6: Water Management in Asia-Pacific

The audience will understand the status of water resources in the Asia-Pacific region, the use of water in both quality and quantity, the value of water and lifestyles in the region, and the problems associated with water resources and their management.

The exhibition offers information and knowledge to be exchanged and used as a case study or as guidelines for appropriate management leading to future collaboration and sustainability in this region.

Useful information

If you just want to have a look around, you should allow 2 hours for the visit, but if you intend to go into details, you will need the whole day or more.

There are many educational activities for children.

Address: Khlong Ha, Khlong Luang District, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand

Location of the Rama IX Museum on a Google map

Source: nsm.or.th, bangkokpost.comPhotos: Bangkok Post