Helping hands: Volunteering at the National Museum

Staff Writer

Membership of the National Museum Volunteers (NMV) entitles you to train to become a museum guide. It affords members the chance to participate in study groups, and join local and overseas excursions. A member can also use the NMV library and slide library.

Under the auspices of the Department of Fine Arts, the NMV supports the National Museum Bangkok through a variety of educational and cultural activities.

The NMV is a non-profit organization, which has served the National Museum in Bangkok since 1969. Members study the art, culture, and history of Thailand and its neighbors.

One of NMV’s most important support roles to provide English, French, German, and Japanese guides for foreign visitors to the museum.

It is estimated that NMV boasts over 400 members, both Thai nationals and the citizens of over 46 other nations. Members provide a wide range of expertise and have various backgrounds and experience to offer. Membership costs 1,000 baht for locals, or 1,500 baht (US$50) for people based overseas.

Many of the study groups, lectures, and presentations coming up in the weeks ahead look pretty interesting. For example, an excursion has been arranged to the Bank of Thailand Museum, located at Bangkhunprom Palace on Tuesday April 22.

On Friday May 9, a trip has been organized to observe the Royal Ploughing Ceremony. This important event is rich in culture and pageantry. During the ceremony a forecast of rainfall is made and the quality of the next harvest is discussed. Brahmin priests and the Praya Raek Na (Lord of the Ceremony) play major roles, while officials from the ministry of agriculture also attend. The ceremony is presided over by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn.

The NMV has made arrangements for a small group to attend the Royal Ploughing Ceremony as official guests. It’s an early morning event, so only sign up if you’re sure you can attend. As with all state functions, a dress code applies and the use of cameras is restricted.

There are always projects providing some form of good deed or another. One project, for example, is aimed at helping to make the museum more accessible to the blind or partially sighted. The NMV is now working in tandem with the Thailand Association of the Blind (TAB), and the National Museum to implement the program.

Developing local Thai-speaking guides for the blind will also provide a vital link for the community.

 

Tours of the National Museum cost 40 baht (museum entrance fee) and take place on Wednesday and Thursday mornings (English, French, and Japanese) at 9.30 am sharp. The German-language tour takes place at the same time on Thursday mornings.

The group is organized by a volunteer Steering Committee, chosen from among the NMV’s membership. The NMV has already received the Thai National Heritage Award, and has become an associate member of the World Federation of Friends and Museums.

Whether you’re an art lover, or someone keen to learn more about the culture in which you live, membership of the organization provides access to some very interesting art-related events linked to the National Museum. 

For further information, take a look at the NMV’s website at http://www.museumvolunteersbkk.net.