Rames Promyen, director of the 10-year-old NDMI, is on a mission to improve access to Thailand's cultural and social history.

If you surveyed the top places Thais liked to visit in the previous decade, museums would hardly make the list. But this year marked the 10th anniversary of the National Discovery Museum Institute (NDMI), an organisation that promotes museums as places of fun and learning. Its prototype — and marquee showcase — is Museum Siam, which celebrates its 7th anniversary this year. 

Museum Siam has made its mark by emphasising interactive learning and modern ways to impart information. Its permanent exhibition tackles the idea of "Thainess" through the ages in an interactive and colourful presentation — with multi-screen videos, touchable displays and even a replica of old-fashioned restaurants where you can sit down. 

"If people learn by themselves, they will definitely memorise the subject better. We want people to question as well as interact with the exhibition," said Rames Promyen, director of the NDMI, which is part of the Office of Knowledge Management and Development (OKMD). "Sometimes there might be different sets of information presented in the exhibition, but what we try to say here is that the information from museums is not the only answer. We want people to inquire, think and find the answer themselves." 

Each year over the past seven years, Museum Siam has welcomed approximately 120,000 visitors. Its activities and exhibits have contributed to the shifting attitude towards museums as less boring places. Generation Y is the major target group the museum is trying to reach. 

http://www.bangkokpost.com/lifestyle/social-and-lifestyle/628228/making-museums-fun