Walking around the recently-renovated displays at the National Museum in Bangkok, Rathakorn Wintachai was excited to learn about his history as a Thai from the artefacts, sculptures, and paintings on offer, which stretch from the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya eras to modern Thailand.
"It's my first time here," said the sixth-grader, aged 12, from Nakprasith School in Nakhon Pathom province.
"Everything is worth seeing. There are plenty of artworks.
"But what I enjoy most is the murals which illustrate events in Buddha's life, because it feels like reading comic books which make history easier to understand."
At a display outside the main hall, eight-year-old Adichart Limrossuk and seven-year-old Kanthanin Weerathanond, third-graders from the Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University Demonstration School, were busy solving jigsaw puzzles portraying the scenery of the ancient Ayutthaya kingdom.
After they finished the task, the boys started to search for items in the national museum. It was their first visit as well.
A member of staff explained the stone sculpture displayed was a singha, or ancient lion.
"It's just a fictional character which helped protect people," he said, after the boy asked if the lions really existed in Thai forests.
The group was among 491 students from four schools: Rajamangala University of Technology Rattanakosin Poh-Chang, Nakprasith School, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University Demonstration School and Srinakarinwirot University Prasarnmit Demonstration School, who attended the "Trip to a museum" project organised by the Culture Ministry.
The project also flowed from the Education Ministry's class-reduction policy which allows 3,500 pilot schools nationwide to cut class time by two hours a day to give primary and secondary students more time for extra-curricular activities.
The school year in Thailand consists of more than 200 days and students are required to attend formal lessons for 1,200 hours per year, six hours per day.
The Ministry of Education says the class-reduction policy is expected to result in the hours of instruction at schools falling to 840 hours per year, more closely aligning Thai learners with students in the developed world.
The project will also create opportunities for students to engage more in art, music and sports, consistent with the idea that Thai children need time to play, free from the rigid conformity of the classroom, advocates say.
Pawinee Sorawech, a Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University Demonstration School teacher, said she's happy to see her children running around asking questions.
"I love the idea of getting students out of class so they can learn from experts and see real things, not just read textbooks," she said.
Students take advantage of the class-hours reduction policy to visit the National Museum in Bangkok. Chanat Katanyu
Thai students' busy schedules have long been a major flaw in the Thai education system and one that has had a detrimental impact on student achievements and development, she said.
The class-reduction policy might be a turning point for education in Thailand, which has among the highest class hour totals in the world.
"Students should spend more time outside the classroom; it could be in museums, the playground, or temples, because time spent playing can enhance students' social, emotional, physical and creative development," Ms Pawinee said.
Menila Suksungnuen, 23, who works at the museum, was delighted to see so many students, as the number of local visitors has been declining steadily.
The students kept her busy answering questions, but she welcomed their interest.
"I'm always impressed to see Thais, especially young ones, interested in their own history," she said.
Culture Minister Veera Rojpojanarat, who oversees the project, said Thailand is home to a rich and diverse cultural heritage, so it's important for students to visit museums, understand their roots and be proud of their past.
"When children understand their origins, they will be proud to inherit our traditions from previous generations and will pass them on to the next generation, so Thai culture will never disappear," Mr Veera explained.
The ministry plans to expand the museum project to 96 more schools, covering 10,000 students across the country next school term.
A budget of 1 million baht will be supported by American Express, he said.
The minister said every school should provide students with opportunities to learn Thai history through activities outside the classroom.
He also believed visiting museums during schools hours is more beneficial to student achievement than just reading books in history class.