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From Bangkok, on our way to visit the famous Kawai Bridge, which spans the western border river between Thailand and Myanmar, we were pleasantly surprised to visit a stop rarely seen on typical tours for Vietnamese tourists: the wax museum in Nakhon Pathom province.
Most of the statues are life-sized and have incredibly lifelike movements.
While not as famous as the Madame Tussauds chain worldwide, the Thai Human Imagery Museum is sure to captivate visitors with its unique features.
On a lush, fruit-filled garden spanning over 2 hectares, a showroom has been built, boasting exquisite Thai architectural style, yet featuring modern interiors and a team of professional and enthusiastic staff.
Wax statue of the Queen of Thailand
Besides the display of statues of world-famous figures such as Abraham Lincoln (USA), Mahatama Gandhi (India), and Winston Churchill (UK), which visitors may have seen in museums around the world, the exhibition of statues of the Chakri royal dynasty (which ruled Thailand from 1782 to the present), famous figures in history and culture such as monks, poets, even fictional characters in literature, and especially the folk life of the Thai people, brings a sense of joy and admiration to visitors.
Artist Duangkaew Phityakornsilp came up with the idea for the museum when he saw a guest come to his house and give him a wax apple, which he put to his mouth, thinking it was real. He thought, "If this wax apple can deceive the human eye, surely wax statues can do the same."
But when he started working on the statue, the artist encountered many difficulties. Thailand has a hot, humid climate, so the wax easily melts. Smoke, dust, and pollution also easily damage the statue's skin. The first statue, depicting the Thai cultural figure Phra Raij Sangwarabhimon, took the artist only 3 years to sculpt, but it took 10 years to refine and complete.
Traditional children's games are a special attraction of the wax museum in Nakhon Pathom province.
The statues here were created by Thai researchers using fiberglass instead of traditional wax to suit the country's climate. The figures, every strand of hair, wrinkle on the skin, hands, feet, the expression in the eyes, and the movements are incredibly lifelike. The lighting in the museum is also an art form. The entire museum uses yellow lights, with some shining directly from above and others at an angle, making the wax statues even more vibrant. The statues are displayed in a diverse and rich way. Some stand alone, while others are grouped together according to a specific theme, and many are arranged to form a larger scene.
Currently, a team of professionally trained artisans is building the sculpture garden with the hope of promoting Thai history and cultural traditions to international friends and future generations.
* Interested visitors can find the museum at the following address: 43/2 Moo 1, Boromratchachonii Road, Nakhon Pathom Province, Thailand.
The museum is open seven days a week, from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM. On weekends and holidays, it is open until 6:00 PM.
