National Museum Volunteers (NMV) Bangkok, Thailand
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Touching Thailand - NMV Blind Access Project

Touching Thailand Tours in English


These tours provide a unique opportunity to learn about Thai history, art and culture through touch at the National Museum Bangkok. These programs are run by the NMV in English.
Why Touch?

The hand is as adept with pictures as the eye. Learning happens in a new way with memory, hearing and other senses sharpened, leading to unexpected discoveries.

The NMV offers these Tours to those who are blind and visually impaired as well as those who are sighted.

‘Few people who see realise how many and how great are the marvels of touch. Blinded by their eyes, they never stop to think how vital that sense of touch is.’ (Helen Keller 1932)
Who are Touching Thailand Tours for?

As these Tours feature touch and verbal description, they are particularly suitable for blind and visually impaired visitors.

School children, tourists and members of the Bangkok community who are sighted will also enjoy the experience of learning through touch.
What are Touching Thailand Tours?

Specially trained volunteer guides from the NMV lead English speaking visitors through half day touch tours so they can learn about Buddhism, Thai Architecture and Thai history.

Guests are invited to touch selected pieces and to learn about Thai history and culture through hands-on activities, verbal description and stories. The Tours are in workshop format and are held in a private room. They may also include a walk through the grounds of the National Museum Bangkok, where many historic pieces are located.

Those with sight wear eyeshades so they no longer rely on their eyes. In this way, they are able to learn more deeply through all their senses and can reconsider their fears and prejudices as they begin to appreciate a world without sight.

Touching Thailand Tours are conducted in the morning – there are 2 sessions with a short break in between.


Touching Thailand Tours:


  • must be booked in advance (minimum two weeks)
  • are from 9 a.m. until 12 noon
  • are available in English
  • are strictly limited to groups of 6 participants
  • are not confirmed until applicants have received details of the confirmed arrangements in writing

Topics:


  • Photo: Hand touching Buddha statueBuddhism
    Using statues of the Buddha, participants learn about the particular characteristics of the Buddha and some of the art history periods of Thai Buddha images. They learn about hand gestures (mudras) and various poses (asanas) which reveal the teachings of the Buddha.
  • Photo: Touching a chofa model Thai Architecture
    Participants learn about the design and architecture of a traditional Thai house. Using models of Thai temple roofs and temple decorations, they also discover the Buddhist and Hindu symbolism incorporated in temple design.
  • Photo: Touching lion guardianThai History
    Exploring former palaces while walking in the grounds of the National Museum Bangkok, participants discover many treasures from different periods of Thai history. These provide a sensory background to the history of Thailand and may include the Red House, Portuguese and Dutch cannons, Chinese guardian dogs, Thai mythical half human/half animal statues, topiary and Khmer Buddhist sculpture.

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Booking a Touching Thailand Tour


For bookings or more information, please email: touch@museumvolunteersbkk.net

To book, those interested should download and complete a copy of the booking form which is on the NMV website www.museumvolunteersbkk.net, then return it as an email attachment.
Information & Booking: touch@museumvolunteersbkk.net
© 2010 NMV National Museum Volunteers Bangkok Thailand