National Museum curator Somchai na Nakhonphanom said yesterday the facility - which will admit children and parents free of charge tomorrow - was hosting the exhibition.

The highlight will be two buffalo figurines unearthed in Udon Thani in 1994 from a Ban Chiang grave more than 2,000 years old.

The artefacts were possibly part of a tradition of placing toys in a child's grave, said Somchai.

Among the items on display will be toys from more than 150 years ago that belonged to Chao Chom Manda Lieb.

These include a doll collection, model bedroom and living room and miniature ring with a picture of HM the King Rama V on its face that was made by Chao Chom Manda Lieb herself.

The museum yesterday reopened its display room for ancient coins and banknotes after a Bt2.5-million renovation sponsored by Siam Commercial Bank. It will be open to the public from 9am to 4pm on Wednesdays to Sundays.

Somchai said children could visit and learn about the history of Thai currency in a more interesting environment and with improved presentation.

The top attractions are coins from the Dvaravati period

(6th-11th centuries AD) that

serve as important evidence for studies about this era and Pot Duang coins, the first indigenous Thai money.

Culture Minister Khaisri

Sri-aroon said the ministry would also host Children's Day

celebrations at places under its supervision, including the Office of the National Culture Commission, the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre and the National Library, as well as dramatic-arts colleges nationwide.

Pakamard Jaichalard

The Nation