Thai Labour Museum

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About Thai Labour Museum

The Thai Labour Museum is a fascinating and unique destination for those interested in the history of Thai workers and socialists. It offers a deep dive into the treatment of workers in both their professional and leisure lives over the years. The museum is filled with excellent exhibits, many of which have descriptions in English, making it accessible to international visitors. Despite potential language barriers, visitors are greeted with a warm welcome and basic guidance on where to go. The museum is believed to be run by volunteers, and visitors are encouraged to leave a donation. To gain entrance, one simply needs to ring the bell, as there isn't always someone at the reception.

The museum provides an informative journey through the history of labour in Thailand, from feudal times and slavery, through the era of labour for wages with the arrival of Chinese coolies, up to modern attempts to improve the condition of labourers. It does not shy away from the darker aspects of Thai history, such as the lethal assaults on Thai workers and students by the Thai military in 1976 and 1992, the Thai alliance with Japan in World War II, and the death of many labourers on the Thai-Burma railway. The museum also features outstanding exhibits on Thai cultural history.

The museum is located in an obscure location beside the railway tracks near Makkasan Station, more than a 1 km walk from either Phetchaburi Station on MRT or Phayathai Station on BTS. The museum may seem old and low tech, but this only adds to its charm as it relates to older, low tech times. The reception desk may be unattended, but there is a bell beside the door to ring to attract attention. Admission is free, with a voluntary donation box by the reception desk.

The Thai Labour Museum tells the history of the Thai working people, from the caste system, through waves of Chinese migration and labor organizing, to the modern struggle for survival in the global capitalist economy. It also discusses the political changes in Thailand, efforts to suppress labor groups, and tragedies like the suppression of the 1973 uprising and the Kader toy factory fire. The museum is a 20-minute walk from the Erawan Shrine, not a very scenic walk but goes through an area with a lot of cheap restaurants. It's also readily accessible from BTS Ratchaprarop and MRT Phetchaburi stations.

The museum provides a great deal of context to support the view that Thailand has a caste system, similar to India. Visitors leave with a much deeper understanding of why King Rama V is still loved by the Thai people to this day, 100 years after his reign. He is remembered for abolishing corvee and slave labour and for modernizing Thailand with roads, a postal system, telephones, etc. The museum is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00-4:00.

The museum is dark in places, and has no air conditioning, so it's recommended to visit in the morning and bring a flashlight. The written information is in Thai and English. Some placards are low and printed in black on a dark background, so some illumination is helpful. The artefacts are well displayed in separate rooms, although they may not be chronologically organized within each room.

The Thai Labour Museum is a sincerely curated and important museum that documents the development and history of Thai labour from pre-colonial to present times. It covers topics such as the phrai system and key labour movement milestones and pioneers. The museum is entirely funded and maintained by unions, scholars, and NGOs. It's located about 15 minutes by walking from Phetchaburi MRT station. Admission is free, though donations are appreciated. The museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday, from 10-5pm. If the door is closed upon arrival, simply ring the bell and one of the workers at the museum will open up the building and turn on the lights and exhibits.