As part of the tributes being paid to His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, art galleries, museums and the zoo are joining up for “Night at the Museum”, a three-day event running from Friday through Sunday in and around the historic district of Rattanakosin Island.

Here’s our pick of the five best museums to enjoy in the moonlight. For the full list of participating venues, visit http://okmd.or.th/activities/634 or Facebook.com/ MuseAndLearn2u. Most are offering free admission.

MUSEUM SIAM

Send in your memorabilia of the late King and your piece might become part of the exhibition “In the Reign of King Rama IX” at Museum Siam. Here you’ll enjoy films and animations including “Duay Klao” (“The Seed”), the only film that specifically addresses King Bhumibol’s cloud-seeding programme, and “Pra Mahachanok”, the animation based on the book by the late King. Also showing is the documentary “King Rama IX in National Film Heritage”. Guest speakers like royal photographer Naphan Sevikul, Srivichai Songsuwan, a driver who took the late King’s advice to continue his studies and ML Piyapas Bhirombhakdi, lady-in-waiting to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, will talk about the late King, his work and the love he showed for Queen Sirikit. Music will be in the air too with a band playing King Bhumibol’s compositions. The event runs from 4 to 10pm. For the full programme, see http://MuseumSiam.org and Facebook.com/MuseumSiamfan. Call (02) 225 2777 extension410.

NITASRATTANAKOSIN

Enjoy the mesmerising night view from Rattanakosin Sky View then appreciate and take pride in Thailand’s artistic and cultural legacies at Nitasrattanakosin. Visitors will learn more about Rattanakosin City and the arts of the era through interactive self-learning devices. The tour is limited to 32 persons per round and the last tour starts at 7pm. Don’t miss “Suebsan Saman Mitr”, an exhibition about the history of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Thailand and other countries from the Sukhothai era to the present day. Nitasrattanakosin is open from 10am to 9pm. Visithttp://Nitasrattanakosin.com or Facebook.com/Nitasrattanakosin. Call (02) 621 0044 extensions 121, 128.

PIPIT BANGLAMPHU

Fall in love with the communities, craftsmen, places and the way of life in Bang Lamphu, a charming neighbourhood in old Bangkok. Discover the role and responsibilities of one of the most important government agencies, the Treasury Department, learn how to carve a banana stalk pith, practice your needle work and try sewing the intricate embroidery that adorns the costumes of khon performers or indulge yourself with Thai traditional perfumed dried flowers and learn how to make a sachet of your own. The museum is open from 10am to 9pm. The tour is limited to 25 persons per round and the |last tour starts at 7.30pm. |Music performances and food booths run from 6 to 9pm. VisitFacebook.com/Pipitbanglamphu or call (02) 281 9828.

DUSIT ZOO 

It’s not often that visitors have the chance to explore the zoo at night. Established during King RamaV’s reign, Dusit Zoo was originally a botanical garden called Khao Din Wana. It was part of the palace compound and used for the private enjoyment of the royal family and palace staff until King Rama VII instructed that the garden be expanded for the enjoyment of the general public. This weekend Dusit Zoo is arranging buggies for a night tour so that visitors can enjoy the zoo when the weather is cooler and listen to the sound of animals at night. A short introduction tot the zoo comes first followed by a visit to the elephant stable where the first royal white elephant, Phra Savet Adulyadej Phahana, in the reign of King Rama IX lived. You’ll also visit the royal pet crab-eating macaque that the King gave to the zoo. Dusit zoo is opens from 8am to 9pm. During “Night at the Musuem”, admission is free after 6pm though you will have to pay a fee for the buggy. The last tour is at 8pm. Visit http://DusitZoo.org or Facebook.com/DusitzooThailand. Call (02) 281 2000, (02) 280 7290

3 SILAPA RATTANAKOSIN RESOURCE CENTRE AND SAI SUDDHA NOBHADOL BUILDING MUSEUM

Located in Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, the museum was once a residence of the royal family. Appreciate the beautiful architecture in the moonlight and enjoy the exhibition “Duriya Kasattra”. Witness the late King Bhumibol’s gift and passion for music and learn about King Rama X’s interest in music. You’ll learn about the culture and tradition of mourning in the Rattanakosin Era and how to make a garland. Visithttp://ThreeSilapas.ssru.ac.th or call (02) 160 1216.