Museum of Regalia, Royal Decorations and Coins

The Pavilion of Regalia, Royal Decorations and Coins is a small museum with a rather large collection of royal regalia, medallions and jewelry, as well as a big selection of Thai coins. The entrance to the museum is somewhat hidden among the small shops between the ticket booth and the entry to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Many people miss the museum, but it's actually quite interesting.

The collection is housed in a sequence of rooms on the second floor of the building (there doesn't appear to be an elevator). The first room displays pitchers, robes and betel sets made for past royals. As you would expect of things meant for the court, all of the items are finely crafted of silver and gold. There are many examples of brass boxes and containers, finely engraved and enameled to an almost jewel-like appearance.

The next room has some real jewelry - rings made for the king to present to courtiers. Different ring styles, with different gems, were destined for different levels of the civil service and family. Medallions and other awards are also on display.

Next up is a fine collection of swords with intricately carved hilts and scabbards. As with many other royal regalia, swords were an important indicator of rank. Different kinds of swords with different hilts were given to different ranks.

Lastly, there's the coin collection, displaying the full range of coinage in use in Thailand, from the early cowrie shells to the most recently minted coins in circulation.

The exit from the museum is right at the temple entrance.