History and artifacts at Satun National Museum

If you are in the southern Thai province of Satun and have one or two hours to spare, a visit to Satun National Museum is highly recommended. The museum was developed from an old mansion built by a former governor in the 19th Century. It is in the European architectural form with a Thai-style roof. 


                                             Ancient artifacts unearthed from the mansion grounds

Originally built as a temporary residence of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) during his visit to southern Thailand, the two-storey mansion was later turned into the governor’s residence. During the Second World War, it was used as a Japanese military camp, and before being developed into a national museum, this mansion served as a town hall, a municipal school, and an internal security operations command office.


                                                                          Colorful ceramics 

There is a guide to take you around the open-air museum, which houses antiques and artifacts, as well as exhibits on local art and culture.

Once part of an independent Sultanate, Satun had strong ties with Thailand since the Ayutthaya period. As mixed marriages between Thais and Malay Muslims became more common, many Satun people became “Samsam”, meaning a mixed person.


                                                                    Second-floor dining table

While most inhabitants of Satun, including Samsams, are Muslim, Satun has avoided the regional unrest occurring in other southern provinces.

In addition to the museum, travellers may visit the provincial mosque and explore the city on foot before visiting beautiful islands off the coast of Satun, some of which are designated as national parks.