5 Benefits of Madame Tussauds You’ve Never Heard Of
The Only World-Class Wax Museum in Thailand at Siam Discovery
Wax figures have been tied to the way of life for people around the world, including that of Thai people. They have been showcased through many forms of entertainment, including movies. Can you still remember the chilling and thrilling moments from Hollywood films like “House of Wax”, where a group of teenagers venture into a strange town with a wax museum only to find that the statues are made from living people? Then you also have the Thai drama series “Hong Hoon” (Statue Room), where all the wax figures are possessed by spirits. But enough about that… Today, the wax figure experience returns with a more fun vibe unlike any other. If you stop by and visit the waxworks at Madame Tussauds on Siam Discovery’s 4th floor, not only will you relish the experience, but there are also 5 benefits that you can take home with you at the end.
1. Get Up Close and Personal with World-Class Figures
Consider this to be your golden opportunity to meet important people from different circles of the world and of Thailand by way of over 90 wax figures in a museum that has been in service for over 200 years and that has received acclaim for its resemblance to their real-life counterparts, thanks to the attention being paid to detail. At times, you might even mistake one of those statues for being a real person. If you take a closer look, you’ll see the hairs, the veins and the marks are all very clear. The hair on every statue is also made from real human hair. Tattoos that you see on some statues have also been replicated from their real-life counterparts (e.g. Angelina Jolie).
At the Bangkok branch, the theme of royalism is prevalent. Therefore, you will find the wax replicas of Princess Srinagarindra and Prince Mahidol, both of which are set alongside a backdrop of Wat Phra Kaew and a tuk-tuk, in the first zone. To say the least, it looks very elegant. All statues are divided according to zone. You can explore the zone of influential people, world leaders, scientists, athletes, musicians, singers, film and television actors, Bollywood actors (a new addition), and Hollywood actors. You’re certainly in for a big surprise and won’t know what statues you’ll expect to find.
2. The Epitome of Selfie-Taking, No Restrictions
What makes Madame Tussauds unique is the fact that you’re allowed to interact with the wax figures, a no-no in most other wax museums. You can hug, touch, feel and even take close-up selfies with the waxworks. Favorites include Thailand’s own Mario Maurer or the life-sized, 228.6-centimeter NBA basketball player Yao Ming. The museum’s newest addition is none other than American pop star Ariana Grande. Despite her small stature, there is no denying that she has a big heart. After all, she did perform a charity concert after a bombing occurred following one of her shows in Manchester, England. Then you can also sit cheek-to-cheek with the members of the British boyband One Direction.
3. The Power of Laughter
This is the moment of fun we’ve all been waiting for. Step into a dance-off with Beyoncé, the Queen of Hip Hop, and find out who’s got the better moves, especially when it comes to twirling those hips. Let your friend who’s come with you take a picture or record a video. The backdrop, lighting, colors, smoke, and Beyoncé’s intro music help add to the atmosphere. Action enthusiasts can duel with the legendary martial artist Bruce Lee and find out who’ll be the first to deliver the knockout. The same applies with Spider-Man and Wolverine. Indian film lovers can also head to the IIFA zone, where all the Bollywood stars are assembled.
4. Fill Up on Inspiration
Aside from the intricate details of the wax figures, which take up to 6 months to sculpt and are each worth between 8 to 10 million THB, inspiration is also in abundance here at Madame Tussauds. There is so much we can learn from the stories and life experiences of each and every individual being represented by the wax figures in the museum. Take King Naresuan for example, he displayed great courage in fighting for the freedom of Siam from the Burmese. Or you can also take Oprah Winfrey, the African-American show host who caused social upheaval and inspired many around the world, having endured a rough childhood. Then you have Mark Zuckerberg, the infamous founder of Facebook, the world’s largest online social media network that is capable of connecting all corners of the world. He displayed great potential from an early age by writing programs and finally achieved success by becoming one of the richest people in the world. Of course, he has also given back to society with hopes of achieving social equality.
5. A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience
Madame Tussauds Bangkok first opened its doors to the public in 2011. It is the first and only branch of the world-class wax museum in Southeast Asia, being situated in Siam Discovery. The first museum was established by Marie Tussaud, a French artist who learned wax sculpting from a Swiss doctor known for his work with wax statues, in London in 1835. The Swiss doctor first did wax sculpting as a means for illustrating human anatomy . Later on, however, he began sculpting in order to entertain his patients. Eventually, he began sculpting for the sake of art. Tussaud would inherit the doctor’s waxworks and his skills, where the legend of the Madame Tussauds wax museum would eventually come to life in London. This legend would make its way to Thailand for the Thai general public to get a once-in-a-lifetime experience of getting up close with celebrities from all over the world.
P.S. The fun doesn’t end here. There is a corner that tells the story and pretty much all you need to know about Madame Tussauds. There is also a service booth where you can get a wax mold of your own hand, titled “Wax Hands”. Furthermore, you can also watch the “Ice Age” 4D movie, where you will go on an adventure through the forests, the ice mountains, find the remains of the Titanic, and venture through the age of the mammoths. It’s a fun, exciting 10-minute tour amidst snow, sprays, and vibrations. Before you leave, you can also shop for Madame Tussauds-style souvenirs to keep as memories from the heart of Siam.
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