The National Science Museum Thailand (NSM) () is a state enterprise established on 30 January 1995 under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation. NSM develops and currently operates 4 museums and 2 learning centers to raise public awareness of science for Thai society. The museums are the Science Museum, Natural History Museum, Information Technology Museum and RAMA 9 Museum. All the museums are located at Technopolis Khlong 5, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani. The NSM's learning centers are NSM Science Square @ the Street Ratchada located in Bangkok and NSM Science Square @ Chiang Mai located in Princess Siridhorn AstroPark.
History
In 1990, the Ministry of Science and Technology at that time was assigned by the Thai government to establish a science museum. On 12 August 1992, the National Science Museum Thailand or NSM was founded to commemorate the Fifth Anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother's Birthday and her leadership in integrating science, technology, Thai art and culture to develop and improve careers and the quality of life of the Thai people. The museum construction began in 1994. In the Royal Decree of Establishing the NSM, it is a state enterprise since 30 January 1995 to be under the Ministry of Science and Technology at that time, now called the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation. The National Science Museum, Thailand started to develop its first museum, “The Science Museum”, located at Technopolis, 39 Moo 3 Khlong 5, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani. With the unique structure represents a grouping of three huge cubes standing on their points joined along the edges, forming the most spectacular building in the complex. It consists of a 10,000 square meter area with 6 major themed exhibition areas and displaying hands-on models about basic science, science and technology in everyday life, and traditional Thai technology. The Science Museum is public opened on 8 June 2000 In 2003, the Natural History Museum, which located next to the Science Museum, opened to the public. With the exhibition space of 3,000 square meter area, it displays knowledge about the evolution of life, the diversity of living creatures ranging from single cell organisms to species in the Kingdom, specimen preservation, taxidermy exhibition as well as research and collection. In 2011, NSM Science Square @ Chamchuri Square was developed as a learning center in the central of Bangkok. It was located on the 4th and 5th floor of Chamchuri Square Building, Chulalongkorn University, Samyan. With 3,000 square meters of exhibition area, it exhibited science, technology, and innovation that showcased on hot issue and daily-life related exhibition as well as hands on education program. It was open to the public in March 2011, and it has now been closed since 31 December 2019. In 2013, the Information Technology Museum was opened to the public on a 9,300 square meter exhibition area near the Natural History Museum. The major theme is evolution of communication and computer technologies as an origin of computer development to the advancement of information technology. In 2019, the RAMA 9 Museum was founded to commemorate the Celebrations on the Auspicious Occasion of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great's 80th Birthday Anniversary. The RAMA 9 Museum presents the highlights Project of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great which related to the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy, and how to use scientific methods to solve the people and country's major problems. The Exhibition showcases on the evolution of life on the earth, ecosystems from all over the world and the biodiversity of Thailand and the world. The RAMA 9 Museum is opened to the public on 15 October 2019. In 2021, the new NSM Science Squares were developed and re-opened at the new location. The first NSM Science Square is in central Bangkok named “NSM Science Square @ The Street Ratchada” and has an interactive exhibition and activities for people in the center of Bangkok. The second NSM Science Square is located at AstroPark, Chiang Mai named “NSM Science Square @ Chiang Mai. It was established with the collaboration of the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT). It has an area of interactive learning for the people of Northern Thailand. NSM Science Square are opened to the public in March 2021.