The National Museum under the Fine Arts Department aimed to establish the National Art Gallery, since the National Museum and the Silpakorn University have organized the Annual National Exhibitions of Art and the national art competitions every each year since 1949, while using the previous location of Ministry of Transportation (Currently is the location of Thai National Theatre) as the place for exhibitions. However, there was no place to store the award winning artworks at that time. Later, several private sectors actively setup their own art galleries, i.e. Student Christian Center Bangkok at Hua Chang Bridge, Bangkok Art and Culture Centre at Makkasan and the Suan Pak Kad Palace museum, Mek Payap Art Gallery and the Silp Bhirasri Memorial museum at Attakarnprasit alley, the German Goethe-Institute in Bangkok at Phra Athit road.

Endeavour of The Fine Arts Department in finding the place to setup the National Art Gallery, finally with the great support from Mr. Sawad Uthaisri, former director of The Treasury Department, he bestowed the old deserted Mint as the place for establishing the National Art Gallery on 19 April 1974, to commemorate the 100 anniversary of the Fine Arts Department of Thailand.

The main building of the National Art Gallery was renovated to be exhibitions and other operating rooms. At present the exhibition area is divided into 2 storeys, which are;

Downstairs - exhibits 3 sections, consists of

1. Western Influenced Art exhibition hall since the King RAMA IV and V . which are art that created by western artists, and arts that created by western- influenced Thai artist during the prior period.

2. The Royal Paints Exhibition hall - The illustrations of Thai mythology literature "Sakuntala" by King Mongkut Klao (RAMA VI) watercolor painted in 1920 and the Royal Paints by King Bhumibol Adulyadej (RAMA IX) on occasion of the officially inaugurated of the national art gallery in 1977.

3. The Art Gallery after the year 1943 - exhibits sculptures by Professor Silp Bhirasri and his first generation apprentices during the early setting up of Art institute in Thailand, “A School of fine arts” which later developed to be Silpakorn University.

Upstairs - exhibits Thai cultural art works, which inspired by the Buddhism religion belief, such as temple murals, Dhamma cabinet, chapels, Wood carved cabinet doors, and Bhuddiha image, which narrates Thai unique special stories, patterned and technique of crafting process, particularly, painting art that take as a tradition passed down to the next generations. i.e. replica paints of image of Buddha murals at Wat Chedi Chet Thaew temple, Sukhothai and Ayuthaya provinces, the paint of Buddha image from wat Umong temple, Tak province, “Lai Rod Nam” Pattern on Dhamma cabinet, narrates different acts of Ramayana Mythology and legend stories, by famous artist in Ratanakosin era, such as the prince Narisara Nuvadtivongs, Khrua In-Khohng. Moreover, there are temporary exhibitions in the National Art Gallery, for which it displays Visual Art works, created by Thai and foreign artists. These exhibitions are rotated throughout the year. Udom Wanabhorn Throne Hall - This simple, two-storey building does not feature any fresco-secco painting on ceiling and wall. Instead, white ceramic is the main decoration here in which it is placed around the entrance door and at the center of the major staircase. Made from cast steel, the pattern of the handrail is done in Art Nouveau style, with another staircase constructed from cast steel as well. The rooms on the upper share the same planning on both sides while a spacious hall reigns downstairs. A connected walkway was later added to the second floor.