Part of the beautiful Wat Khlong Thom temple complex, the Wat Khlong Thom Museum offers an interesting archeological experience for people visiting Krabi. It’s a great place to go to gain a better understanding of the history of the region.
The Wat Khlong Thom Museum displays beads, coins and other artifacts dating back several thousand years. The items on display were found during excavations in the temple grounds. Highlights include bronze tools, glass beads and stone ornaments – many of which are thought to date back to 3,000 BC.
There are also Roman coins on display, along with many pieces of pottery and ceramic shards which signify the region’s significance as a stop along the famed Silk Road – an ancient network of trade routes that stretched from the Mediterranean to China, Africa, and Indonesia. You can learn about this historic route with a guided tour of Silk Road sites in the region.
*Entrance to the museum and the temple are free. *Remember that the temple is a holy place and dress respectfully, covering your knees and shoulders. *Remove your shoes before entering temple buildings in Thailand – you’ll normally see a sign and places to leave your footwear. *Some of the temple buildings have steps to access that might not be suitable for wheelchair users.
The museum is inside the main Wat Khlong Thom temple complex in the district of Khlong Thom on the Petchkasem Highway, about one mile east of Krabi towards Trang. It can be reached by mini-bus, taxi, tuk-tuk or scooter. Alternatively, you can take a traditional songthaew (open window bus) from Krabi town, which will allow for some nice views along the way.
The Wat Khlong Thom Temple and Museum is open to the public year-round. The Krabi region is warm all year with average temperatures of around 80°F (27°C). As with most of the surrounding areas, the best time to visit is between November and March when the temperature is cool and there is less rainfall. September and October see heavy rains, which might make exploring less enjoyable.
