Thailand, the National Discovery Museum, the first museum solely dedicated to Thailand's history and its rich cultural heritages, was officially opened in Bangkok on Wednesday.

Chaturon Chaisang, the Deputy Prime Minister, said after an inaugural ceremony held at the museum's premises, formerly the Commerce Ministry of Thailand on Sanam Chai Road in Bangkok, that the aim of the Thai National Discovery museum was to promote the development of creative ideas, knowledge and wisdom of Thailand among Thai people.

The new museum in Bangkok is the first stage of a complex that will eventually include another four museums which will include the Museum of the Thai History, the Museum of Science and Technology, the Museum of the History of People and Land of Southeast Asia and the Museum of the Natural History of Southeast Asia.

The National Discovery Museum project, promoted by PM Thaksin Shinawatra, was approved by the cabinet of Thailand last year.