National Gallery (Thailand)

The National Gallery (พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติ หอศิลป) is an art gallery and one of Thailand's national museums. It is located on Chao Fa Road in Bangkok's historic Phra Nakhon District, and is housed in the building of the former Royal Thai Mint. The gallery's collections range from traditional Thai art to the Western-influenced portraiture of the 19th century and modern and contemporary works.

History
The building that houses the Gallery was built in 1902 as the site of the Royal Mint. It was designed in the neo-Palladian style by Italian engineer Carlo Allegri. The mint, which employed imported European machinery, operated here until 1968.

On April 19, 1974, the Treasury Department and Ministry of Finance presented the old Royal Mint building to the Fine Arts Department to be converted into the National Gallery. The grand opening took place on August 8, 1977, to celebrate Queen Sirikit's birthday which took place on 12 August.