Tak Heritage Museum is located in a former governor’s residence in Trok Ban Chin which used to be the centre for trade and business transactions and a distribution centre for goods to and from Pak Nam Pho in Nakon Sawan Province via the Ping River.

The best part about the Tak Museum is probably the restored house itself: a large 150-year-old teakwood structure with delicate woodcarvings, original floors and more open-air windows than we could count. As well as serving as residence for several Tak governors, King Bhumibol stayed here with Queen Sirikit at some point during the second half of the 20th century.

An upstairs section exhibits portraits of every Tak governor dating back to the mid-19th century along with a captivating black-and-white portrait of Taksin when he was the governor. There’s also a traditional Thai bedroom, shrine room and office, all containing several striking antiques, including Buddha images, grandfather clocks and early Rattanakosin-era furnishings.

The downstairs section, which would have been used for cooking and bathing, exhibits old cooking and farming tools along with some early photos of Tak town. An unusual feature is an ancient sandstone water purifier and examples of Tak-style krathongs. The helpful curator is on hand to show you around and explain the features of the museum.