Reginald Williams

While this museum has an impressive collection of unusual instruments, as well as a number of important historical instruments I was disappointed in a number of ways. First some of the most stunning and important stringed instruments by truly great masters are lumped together with instruments by much less important makers without any explanation as to why they are grouped such as they are. Worse yet, they are displayed with such poor lighting that it is almost impossible to make out the details that distinguish one master from another. Little information is provided to explain what makes some of these instruments so valuable and others less so. Wouldn’t it make sense to group all the Czech masters in one location, and similarly with the French, German and Italian masters. Further, they need to be displayed such that each instrument can be viewed in its entirety.

In a positive note, however, there are interactive displays and headphones providing ample opportunity for the novice to actually listen to the sounds created by many of the more unusual instruments.

Ultimately this is a great museum for children and the curious but not suitable for serious study of the details of construction or the art of instrument making.

It’s hard to know how best to rate this hotel. With respect to those elements under its own control, cleanliness, room design, service, choice of linens and best of all, breakfast its five stars all the way. With respect to location, as a transit hotel for travelers by train, five stars, but as others have suggested, the area around the station is plagued by homeless people, beggars, drunks and drug users. Care should be taken, especially at night.

A charming museum comprised of a cluster of three houses built just as western architecture was being introduced to Thailand. The experience here was one of journeying in time and the volunteers who gave the tour of the houses were simply delightful people. Their eagerness and enthusiasm, and the original undisturbed architecture of the three homes made this an out-of-the way, low key visit well worth undertaking.

What’s not to like about this museum…unless you don’t like museums or you don’t like Buddhas?! The museum’s presentation of Thai history is somewhat (largely?) Buddha centered, but then its cultural history is clearly hugely influenced by Buddhism, which plays an outsized role in its daily life even today, from all appearances. I was pleased to see exhibits clarifying the influence of Khmer religious art and artifacts in Thailand’s development, as well as to learn something more of the Lana culture of northeastern Thailand. Overall, a terrific museum.

The restaurant houses within the museum is more of a street food eatery than anything else, with limited menu, and is extremely overrated, in my opinion. It serves its purpose, is very moderately priced and provides for a good break while on the premises but I’d say it’s more of a snack bar than anything else. Very small portions.

Today’s lunch was excellent. I had jackfish and my wife had black cod (gindara). Both were prepared by boiling them slowly in soy based soups with mirin added, creating what amounted to a reduction. Served with delicious sides, soup and rice they constituted a very satisfying lunch.