Navama Bhumindra Building

This is a concrete, gable-roof building constructed in celebration of the 50th anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol ' s reign, and to complete and update the folklore museum.


History and Ethnology Room

This room displays historical and archeological data, showing archeological objects created by the wisdom of local people as well as those designed and made after contact between native southerners and foreigners such as Chinese, Indians, Malays, Arabs, and those from western countries. The display also shows the South ' s ancient realms, such as Tamparaling at Nakornsrithammarat, Lankasuka at Pattani – Yala, Sri Vijaya at Chaiya – Suratthani, and Sathingpura – Pattalung, which was the cultural hub around Songkhla Lagoon. The display also has accounts of minority groups in the South, such as the Sea Gypsies and the Sakai or Wild Negritos.


Beads and Ornaments Room

The room displays data about ancient beads found in the South, showing materials used to make beads, the production process and technique, bead shapes, and samples of beads found at various sites at Chumpon, Suratthani, Nakornsrithammarat, Pang-nga, Ranong, and Krabi. Also on display are items of jewelry worn in the South, such as earrings, hairpins, buttons, bracelets, belts, Japping (a baby girl ' s Eve ' s Leaf), and small bells worn around the ankle or neck.


Weapons Room

The room displays knives and weapons used in the South and show various descriptions, forms, production techniques, beliefs, and cultural significance, concerning livelihood, treatment of illnesses, and weapons as indicators of economic and social status, as seen in the culture of using the Gris (dagger). The room also displays weapons carried on the personage: knives of various types such as Mortar knife (Crock knife), flag-edge knife, rooster-tail knife, and hidden-tiger ' s claw knife.


Animal Traps Room

The room displays tools for catching land and sea animals, tools of various forms by their utilitarian purposes, reflecting the folk wisdom in catching and confining animals. The tools are, for example, a fowl trap, bird trapping cage, fish-catching tools, traps for small animals, and a tiger trap.


Pottery Room

The room displays pottery production equipment, techniques of adorning the surface of pottery products with patterns, samples and forms of prehistoric containers found at Ton Riang Cave in Krabi Province, pottery containers from various furnace sites in the South (for example, Klong Pa-o, Sathingmaw, Koh Yo in Songkhla Province, Ma-yaw in Pattani Province), and Chinese pottery from various dynasties, such as Tang Dynasty, Song Dynasty, Yuan Dynasty, Ming Dynasty, and Cheng Dynasty. In addition, there is a display of Western pottery from countries such as Holland, England, and France. The display also includes China tea sets in five master colors.


Locally Woven Cloth Fabric Room

The room displays local cloth fabric from various locations in the South, for example, Koh Yo, Pumriang, Na Muen Sri, Nakornsrithammarat, Pattani, Koak Pai, as well as from abroad. Also on display are tools and equipment for weaving, along with models showing native southern dress for various occasions.


Local Literature Room

This room houses locally written literature of the South in traditional Thai-style book form, with paper made from tree bark or palm leaf, as well as edited local literature. A database service is provided for visitors who wish to conduct research on local literature.

Computer System and Database Room

This is the control room for the computer system. The computerized database collection regarding southern Thai studies is linked with databases of other cultural institutes and centers. The system includes an Internet information program, a multimedia program, and a database program, as well as providing computerized data services.


Picture Museum Room

Data on southern Thai studies are stored here pictorially in various forms including photographs, prints, silkscreen prints, slides, videotapes, and films. Audio-visual programs are produced about southern Thai studies on both videotape and CD – ROM. Access to the data is provided for academics, researchers, college students, and interested persons