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The speech of King Rama VII on the opening of the Museum for Bangkok, 1926          "... if this museum is satisfactory to you, I hope to have some occasional support from, for example, those who specialize in research on antique objects and art objects. I hope you will grant the Royal Institute of Literature, Archeology and Fine Arts the loan, donation or bequest of objects to be exhibited in the museum. These valuable objects will further the purpose of the museum, which is to promote and educate the Thai people, honor the city, and benefit the public... ".

The National Museum          King Vajriravudh, Rama VI, 1910-1925, realizing the importance of ancient monuments and objects made in the pass as evidence of the history and integrity of the country, issued a proclamation on the "Management and preservation of Antiquities " these important monuments and objects. After this proclamation was issued, a lot of old objects from abandoned monuments were brought to Bangkok and to the rural museums, and now the museums contained more antiquities than other types of objects.          Before the time of King Rama VII (1925-1935), the museum's main task was considered to be the collection of objects, with no mandate for study or scientific research into the archeology of the objects - such research was deemed to be the responsibility of the Bangkok Library. In 1925 the King assigned responsibility for museum work to the Bangkok Library. The museum was now called "The Museum for Bangkok". He later ordered the establishment of the "Museum for Bangkok" on March 5,1926, in order to guarantee the protection of objects in the museum. The museum then became the place for the collection and scientific study of objects. The King also established the Royal Institute of Literature, Archeology and Fine Arts under the leadership of Prince Damrong Rajanubhap, and this group developed the museum for Bangkok. On November10, 1926 King Rama VII presided over the official opening of the museum for Bangkok, and the museum became the prototype for the development of other museums and the root of the national museum system. King Rama VIII passed the act known as the "Ancient Monuments, Antiques, Art objects and National Museums Act" in 1934 in order to assign responsibility to the Fine Arts Development for work on ancient monuments, art objects and national museums. This act also changed the name "Museum for Bangkok" to the present day "National Museum Bangkok".

The History of Collecting for the National Museum
         From the original establishment of the museum was first opened to the public by King Chulalongkorn on September 19,1874, items collected have included those that were popular collector's items, oddities, objects with aesthetic value, and antiquities. September 19 is now celebrated as Thai Museum Day. Every king since King Chulalongkorn has developed the museum system further, until today the museums in the central part of the country are on a par with other national museums. The museums located throughout the Kingdom continue to gather and collect a variety of objects which are important to the cultural heritage and history of the nation. While the earliest objects collected came from the royal museums of the Grand Palace, later additions came from public donations, from various institutions, through the survey and excavation of archeological sites, through purchases and exchanges, and through the seizure of illegally exported items. These objects have been studied and preserved for the good of the public. Museums have become the main resource for collecting the nation's objects, which are used to educate the people and instill pride in the national heritage - the objects are no longer limited to private collectors.
Learning from the Past
The Thai cultural heritage, especially in the form of old objects and art objects which have been handed down through the generations, demonstrates a continuing creativity and development in meeting the needs of society. Systematically maintaining this cultural evidence is the fundamental means of studying and researching, collecting and publicizing this information in an effort to sustain and improve this cultural heritage for the future. For example, the study of art history helps us to determine if and object was made for daily use or for ritual ceremonies. Another example: information on old objects can help us interpret relevant historical or archaeological evidence.

A Gift from the Past to Today and Tomorrow
         Preserving the cultural heritage by collecting antiquities and art objects has been practiced by many generations of Thais. These objects were used in all aspects of life, and suited the particular environment of that time and place. For example, artistic creations were produced in the aesthetic styles of different time periods; tool making also followed the needs and accomplishments of the makers. Practical experience, inherited and passed down through the generations, established and enhanced traditional ways of life. Some of the traditions were improved upon by bringing in knowledge and techniques from other areas, which were incorporated into local traditions. This experience and enhanced local wisdom created the cultural heritage which has been passed down from generation to generation.
         The best examples of this cultural development are the tools and products used in everyday life - those that were designed and created in response to human needs - such as food containers and the use of vegetable fibers or animals in making clothing. Although improvements have been made through the ages, these tools and products, which can be traced back through historical and even prehistoric times, will continue to be made as long as humans still have the basis needs of food and clothing.