The Chiang Saen National Museum was established in 1957 as a centre of art and archaeological objects found at Chiang Saen and its surrounding. At the beginning, the old Sala of Wat Chedi Luang was used as the museum until 1981, when the museum was allocated a budget to complete the building as planned.
Exhibits
The Chiang Saen National Museum is situated at the ancient city of Chiang Saen. One of the most important cities of Lanna Kingdom, admist large numbers of archaeological sites, both prehistoric and historic periods. The main purpose of the collection is to emphasize history, art an archaeology related to human settlement, tools and equipment from prehistoric down to historic periods. The exhibit can be divided into 3 sections:
The first Section presents: The location and history of settlement at Chiang Saen, Stucco from Wat Pa Sak, Lanna Buddha images in Chiang Saen style, Stone inscriptions, northern Thai ceramics in Chiang Rai and other related ceramics.
The second Section presents: Important monuments in Chiang Saen and excavation and renovation of ancient monuments in Chiang Saen and also its surrounding area.
The third Section presents: The Mekong River, religious objects, folk art of the northern minority groups in Chiang Rai, such as Tai Yuan, Tai Yai, Tai Lue and various hilltribes. The museum is open on Wednesday – Sunday 9.00 AM. – 4.00 PM and closed on Monday, Tuesday and National Holidays.