The Chao Sam Phraya National Museum

The Chao Sam Phraya National Museum was established on the occasion of Their Majesties the King and Queen's visit to view the artifacts discovered from the crypt of Wat Ratchaburana in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province on November 23, 1957. During the visit, His Majesty expressed to the Minister of Education and the Director-General of the Fine Arts Department at the time that 'The artifacts and art objects found in the crypt of Wat Ratchaburana should be preserved and displayed in a museum in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, and should not be taken elsewhere for preservation and display.' Therefore, the Fine Arts Department established the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum to preserve and display the artifacts found in the crypt of Wat Ratchaburana, as well as other artifacts discovered in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province. The construction of the building was funded by public donations, with donors receiving amulets found in the crypt of Wat Ratchaburana as a token of appreciation. His Majesty graciously granted permission to name the museum after King Borommarachathirat II (Chao Sam Phraya), who built the prang of Wat Ratchaburana.