Sergeant Major Thawee Folk Museum

Sgt Maj, 2nd Lt Dr Thawee Buranakhet was born on 9 October 1932 at Ban Khlong Tao Hai, Hua Ro, Phitsanulok. He studied only to Mathayom 3 but learned drawing and carving from his father, a craftsman and art teacher. In 1955 he joined the 3rd Army Area as a draughtsman and trained in casting at the Fine Arts Department's craft division, where he met Silpa Bhirasri.

He cast the King Naresuan statue for the 3rd Army Area and Phra Phuttha Chinnarat replicas bearing King Bhumibol's cipher. In 1978 he left the army to cast Buddha images full time, founding the Buranathai foundry in a small rented room and training apprentices, many of whom opened foundries of their own; one source dates his departure to 1967.

In 1983 he used foundry income to build the first museum building, the same year he received a National Culture Commission award for casting, later growing to five, gathering more than 10,000 everyday objects from the lower north — Nakhon Sawan, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Kamphaeng Phet, Phetchabun, Tak, Sukhothai and Uttaradit. In 1998 the museum won a Thailand Tourism Award.

Exhibits include a two-storey wooden house with photos of Phitsanulok's history, including the great fire of 1957, boat and house models and herbal medicines below and craftsmen's tools above; another building holds textiles, rice mills, basketry, pottery, musical instruments, toys, brassware, weapons, betel sets and Benjarong; one presents the Thai Song Dam (Lao Song) life of Ban Laem Makha, Bang Rakam; and there is a hall of honour for Jah Thawee, plus animal traps, fishing gear and a herb garden.

He received honorary doctorates from Srinakharinwirot University in 1984, Silpakorn University in 1998 and Naresuan University in 2023, and many other honours: Master Artisan of the Land in 2017; Thailand's first Silpachan in 2022, presented by Princess Sirindhorn; and National Artist in Visual Arts (sculpture and casting) for 2023, honoured at the museum on 26 October 2024, with a National Artist House opened on 23 January 2025. On 2 February 2024 he was granted the rank of second lieutenant. He died on 21 September 2026, aged 93, with rites at Wat Ta Pha Khao Hai.

Across the road is the Buranathai Buddha foundry, free to visit, casting images by the lost-wax method, mostly Phra Phuttha Chinnarat replicas; large images can take a year, and pouring isn't daily, so ask ahead. Reported hours vary, about 08:30–16:30, with some saying it closes Mondays; admission is about 50 baht, 20–25 for children, and one listing gives 100 for foreigners. After Jah Thawee's death, call 055-212-749 before visiting.