Although Siam Cultural Park in Ratchaburi Province has been around since 1997, it strangely doesn’t make an appearance in any of the English language guidebooks such as Lonely Planet. In fact, they only seem to mention Damnoen Saduak Floating Market as the sole attraction for the entire province. There is a course a lot more to see and I will be sharing with you my day trips to that province soon. I visited this park on the same day as I went to the floating market. You just head north on Highway 325 and head towards Amphoe Bang Phae. The park is on the left before you get to the main intersection. You cannot miss it.
In some ways Siam Cultural Park is a bit like the Ancient City in Samut Prakan. It gives a slice of our cultural heritage with samples of Buddha monuments and Thai architecture. However, they do it in a slightly more controlled and on a smaller scale. It also reminded me of the nearby Thai Human Imagery Museum as there were many fiberglass wax works. The first place you visit is the Hall of Fame Building. Here you will learn about prominent people in Thai society. Each fiberglass model is placed in the context of their work environment. For example, in the above picture you can see the late wildlife conservationist Sueb Nakasatian studying a map in his office at the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary. Other prominent Thai figures include: Montri Tramot (musician), M.L. Pin Malakul (educator) and Prof. Sanya Thammasak (Past President of Privy Council). There are also regional figures such as Mother Theresa and Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh, and Chinese leader President Mao Zedong. As you enter each room, you will be able to listen to commentary about each figure which rotates between Thai and English in a continuous loop.