The Garuda, a Hindu demigod who is usually depicted as the mount of the Hindu god Vishnu, has a profound connection with Thai society. It has been used as a symbol of royalty and for the authentication of official documents for centuries. 

With a long history in Thailand, the one and only Garuda museum in Southeast Asia was established in Bangpu sub-district of Samut Prakan province in October 2011, when TBANK acquired Siam City Bank and it was necessary to remove the Garuda emblem from Siam City Bank, in compliance with the Garuda Emblem Act.

The museum has since, collected Garuda emblems from 150 branches of TMBThanachart banks across the country. It has become a learning source about Garuda, based on the belief in the creation of the universe according to Brahmanism-Hinduism and Buddhism.

Uattama Paphaphuthananan, Manager of the Garuda Museum, said that “normally, the Garuda that receives royal permission must be mounted on the top of the building or in a high place, so very few people can get close to it, but the museum allows visitors to get up close. Touching, however, is not allowed.”

The first thing that everyone will see at the museum is a large sculpture of a 4-metre-tall Garuda, spreading its wings to welcome visitors, above the museum’s nameplate. The faded colours indicate that this large Garuda is at least half a century old.

As we step through the door, we see the curved walls, depicting the natural patterns of the Himmapan Forest. There is also a QR code to be scanned to get new filters for Instagram stories. If a mobile phone camera is pointed at the wall, you will find augmented reality graphics telling the story of the bloodline battle between Garuda and Naga, with the Himmapan forest as the background.

Himmapan Forest, a fairy-tale land, is the habitat of various kinds of mythical creatures. It is a chance to learn more about the Tribhum Universe.

The forest is one of the museum’s six exhibition halls, which include the reception hall, Garuda paradise (or Himmapan Forest), the Naga city, the immortal aerial conqueror, the vehicle for Kings and the Garuda emblem room.

The third exhibit is called ‘Nakhon Nakarat’, or ‘the Naga city’, with an underworld theme. This room tells the story of the great serpent ‘Phaya Naga’, ending with the legend of the feud between Phaya Naga and Phaya Garuda, who are half-brothers.

The fourth hall is a circular room surrounded by Garuda sculptures, called ‘the immortal aerial conqueror’, telling the story of how Phaya Garuda became the immortal aerial conqueror.

The 5th hall is named ‘the vehicle for Kings’. The exhibition explains how the Garuda has a long history with Thailand, as Garuda art has been found on Thai territory since the Dvaravati period, before becoming more important in the Ayutthaya period and until today.

The highlight is in the last exhibit of the museum. This is the place where all 150 royal Garuda emblems are enshrined. No other collection of Garuda-specific art has been collected in a single place before.

Most of the Garuda here are made of wood, all of which have been maintained to keep in them in the same condition they were in when they arrived, so visitors can see the age and real condition.

For anyone who wants to know more about Garuda, the museum opens for only for three tours on Fridays and Saturdays. The tours start at 10am, 1pm and 3pm. The guided tours are provided free of charge.

by Kitipat Chuensukjit