Ancient City, Samut Prakan Province, is a large open-air museum covering over 800 rai and is recognized as one of the largest open-air museums in the world. Its main concept is to recreate “the entire country of Thailand” within a single space, divided according to the nation’s actual geographic regions: North, Northeast, Central, South, and East. This allows visitors to experience the full diversity of Thai culture and architecture in one place.Inside the Ancient City, numerous significant historical architectural works of Thailand are reconstructed, both in full scale and in carefully detailed miniature forms. Examples include Sanphet Prasat Palace from the Ayutthaya period, reconstructed Khmer-style stone sanctuaries from the Northeast, important religious sites, and historical monuments that are either lost or no longer accessible today.

The Ancient City was founded by Lek Viriyaphant, a businessman and art enthusiast, with the intention of preserving Thailand’s cultural heritage, which was gradually disappearing. He aimed to create a living learning space where new generations can experience history in a more engaging and tangible way, rather than learning only from textbooks.In addition to architecture, the site also features reconstructed traditional Thai ways of life, including ancient floating markets, land markets, traditional Thai houses, folk handicraft demonstrations such as pottery and wood carving, as well as various cultural activities that clearly reflect the lifestyles of people in different regions of Thailand.

With its vast and beautifully designed landscape, visitors can explore the site in several ways, such as golf carts, bicycles, or trams, making it convenient to reach key attractions throughout the area. It is suitable for educational tourism, photography, and leisure travel in a natural and cultural atmosphere.The Ancient City is therefore not only a tourist attraction, but also an important center for learning Thai history, art, and culture. It helps connect the past with the present and allows visitors to gain a deeper understanding of Thai identity.

• By BTS: Get off at Kheha Station (E23), Exit 3 or 5, then take Songthaew No. 36 or a taxi for about 5 minutes.

• By car: Take the expressway to Samut Prakan (Pak Nam exit), then drive along old Sukhumvit Road toward Bang Pu to kilometer 33.