While not exactly a must-see sight, the Sergeant-Major Thawee Folk Museum may be of interest to those with a curiosity about traditional Thai culture, as most of the items on display are household items and farming implements.
The collection has been patiently put together by Sergeant-Major Thawee, who is clearly proud of his Thai heritage, and he is also well known throughout the bronze-casting fraternity in Thailand for his contribution to Buddhist imagery in the north as a master metal-caster himself. In fact, the Buddha casting foundry that he operates is just 50 meters down the road and can be combined with a visit here.
The items on show were found in areas where Sgt-Major Thawee worked casting his own Buddha images in Nakhon Sawan, Tak, Sukhothai and, of course, Phitsanulok. Keep a look out for the coconut scrapers, ancient toys, and Buddha imagery, as well as crafts, pottery, and some ingeneous animal traps. After viewing these devious devices, it is not surprising that little wildlife remains in Thailand.
The collection of farm tools grew so much over the years that he decided to set up the museum in the 1980s, from which time it grew and now encompasses several buildings. Initially free, there is now a small fee to enter the museum.
Getting There
It’s a bit far to walk from the center, so the best idea is to hire a tricycle, motorbike or tuk-tuk driver to take you here, to the Buddha casting foundry and bird garden, then back to your hotel for an agreed fee.
Need to Know
- What is it? A museum set in old wooden buildings, featuring displays of old utensils, tools and crafts made and used in North Thailand over the years
- When to go: Morning is probably better as it can get hot in the afternoon
- Opening hours: 08:00-16:30
- Entrance fees: adults 50B; children 20B
- Address: Wisukasat Road
- Where: a couple of kilometers south of the train station