Thai Museum Day is observed in Thailand every September 19 to commemorate the foundation anniversary of the Bangkok National Museum, which was established on September 19, 1874, by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). The museum initially housed the antiquities collection of his father, King Mongkut (Rama IV), and has since evolved into one of the largest museums in the region. It features three permanent exhibitions, including the Thai History Gallery and the Archaeological and Art History Collections. On Thai Museum Day, many national museums across the country, including the Bangkok National Museum, host special events and often provide free admission to visitors. The Bangkok National Museum is notable for its extensive collection of artifacts from various periods of Thai history and its significant Asian Buddhist art collection. The observance is coordinated by the Fine Arts Department of the Ministry of Culture, which oversees the national museums tasked with preserving Thailand's historical and cultural heritage.