Royal Barges Museum, Bangkok

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The Royal Barges Museum houses a collection are ornately decorated boats with intricately decorated carvings and designs that at one time served a military function, but are limited today to special State Ceremonies and celebrations. To say that they are elaborate is likely an understatement as these boats, built for the Royals, really are simply works of art.

You can see from the photos that the detail is incredible and the craftsmanship required to build these watercraft is quite impressive. Some of the figureheads and prows of the boats are designs of mythical creatures similar to the Yaksha statues seen at the Grand Palace and the Naga Serpent, a multi headed serpent that acts as a “protector of Buddha.

The use of Royal Barges dates to the Sukothai Period, about the 14th Century; the names of certain vessels were noted as having participated in special and historical ceremonies.

What you will see here today is not THAT old and some date to the early 1900’s. The oldest that you’ll see here is a refitted incarnation of the Suppanahong or “Golden Swan”. Originally built by King Rama 1 in the late 1700s it was reconstructed by King Rama 5 between the years 1873 and 1910.

The collection of about eight boats that you see here are only a few of the fifty-one or so that are the complete collection, the remainder kept in storage, they are quite large and there isn’t enough room to display them all here.

After a bit of work to get here we arrived with only about twenty minutes to explore before the museum closed for the day. I say work because getting here for us involved a boat transit on the Chao Phraya River, a short bus ride up the hill towards Arun Amirin and across the bridge over the Khlong Bangkok Noi where the large hanger like structure for the barges is situated.

A series of walkways through some housing areas leads eventually to the entrance of the museum. The route is marked with only SMALL signs and you COULD have some difficulty getting here. I think most visitors arrive by boat on a guided tour so if you’re not comfortable about finding your way with poor signage than try to see it with a tour.

The best way to get to the museum is by boat…the Chaophyra Tourist Boat stops right at the museum. If you take the regular Express Boat service, the nearest stop is Pinklao Bridge Pier, although this involves a long winding walk along a narrow concrete walkway. The Barge Museum is also a standard stop on most long-tailed boat canal tours, which can be booked at the tourist “centers” located at many of the piers along the river.

Entrance fees are minimal…about 30 baht…if you are taking photos there’s an additional charge of 100 baht

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The Royal Barge Museum, on the banks of the Bangkok Noi Canal off the Chao Phraya River, is a huge boathouse that displays eight royal barges that are the product of the finest Thai craftsmanship. There are various types of barges and the designs depend on the function of the vessel. The actual royal barges are the vessels for the monarchs. There are four such Royal Barges in the museum:

The Suphannahongsa or golden swan, the personal barge of the King is by far the most majestic. This royal barge, which was carved out of a single teak tree trunk, was completed in 1911.

The Narai Song Suban H M King Rama IX is the latest addition to the royal fleet. This Royal Barge was launched on 05 April 1996 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Ayulyadej's accession to the throne.

The Anekchatphuchong was first constructed during the reign of King Rama IV. The current version on display at the museum was launched in 1914.

The fourth royal barge is the Anantanakharat with its seven-headed Naga sprouting from the bow.

When I visited, the river water was too high and the museum wasn't open. However, a guy took me round to the front of the boathouse where I could see all the barges and the water was very high (in fact it was touching the bottom of the barges when they're actually supposed to be out of the water entirely). Be aware of this when you come and visit but at least I got to see them for free!

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This Museum has elaborately decorated Barges, eight in total, although there are 50 altogether. The Barges these days, are only used on special occassions, what a sight that must be! The most important Barge on display is the Suppanahong or "Golden Swan" because its figurehead is a large Golden Swan. The Barge was built during the reign of King Rama 1. Situated next to it, is the Narai Song Suban, which has King Narai riding a garuda on its prow. This Barge was built to commemorate the King's 50th Anniversary on the Throne. There are also displays of decorative and historical objects, as well as photos. A different type of Museum to visit, and more GOLD!
It is open from 9 - 5pm daily. Admission in 2009 was 200t/b, this included the CAMERA FEE.

This famous museum, most easily accessible by river boat, houses an assortment of royal barges dating to the 18th century. Some of which are still used during certain festivals and special occasions. There is an admissions fee and a special fee for use of cameras.

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Originally warcraft, the tradition of barge processions can be dated back to the early 13th century.

Recent processions started with the 2500th anniversary celebrations of the Buddhist Era in 1957, with 39 barges taking part in the King's flotilla.

In April 1982, during the bicentennial celebrations of Bangkok, there were two grand royal barge processions.

Nowadays processions are held traditionally to mark the end of the Buddhist rains retreat (which lasts for three full moons roughly between July and October).

They regularly include the participation of 52 vessels in five rows, requiring over 2000 oarsmen.

The route takes them downriver from Wasukri Royal Landing Place to the Temple of Dawn, passing the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the Grand Palace and Wat Pho.

Opening Hours:
8.30am-4.30pm Daily

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Cross the Chao Phraya River and see eight of the fifty elaborately decorated sailing vessels that are used by the royal family on state occasions or for high religious ceremonies. The majestic splendor of the Royal Barges is only fully appreciated when viewed in the Royal Barge Procession during which up to 50 barges are assembled in a regal flotilla to sail down the Chao Phraya River.

Four of the vessels are royal vessels:

The Suphanahong, or golden swan, the personal barge of the King is by far the most majestic. This royal barge, which was carved out of a single teak tree trunk, was completed in 1911.

The Narai Song Suban H.M. King Rama IX is the latest addition to the royal fleet. This Royal Barge was launched on 05 April 1996 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Ayulyadej's accession to the throne.

The Anekchatphuchong was first constructed during the reign of King Rama IV. The current version on display at the museum was launched in 1914.

The fourth royal barge is the Anantanakharat with its seven-headed Naga sprouting from the bow.

The other four barges on display at the museum are escort vessels:

The Ekachai class barge with the horn of a mythical dragon on the bow.

The Krabi class barge with Hanuman the Monkey God astride the bow.

The Krut or Garuda class barge with a garuda in flight on the bow.

The Asura Vayupak class barge with the half bird and half ogre on the bow.

With the exception of the Ekachai class escorts all the other escort barges have a cannon at the bow. The hulls of the escort barges are lacquered in black and gold.

Admission to the site is 30 Baht for adults. An additional fee of 100 Baht is charged if you wish to take pictures.

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This was definitely one of those outings planned for the male members of the group - who did lots of things for the girls - mostly shopping. So, we all set out for the Royal Barges National Museum - not particularly full of anticipation. Boats are, after all, mostly a boy thing. We took a ferry to Tha Rot Fai on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya, and walked on to the museum - past poverty and amazing housing arrangements. You actually walk along little alleys - no footpath - and, any windows open reveal what life is going on inside - eg. a very elderly, sickly and frail looking old lady who was bedridden - of course, photographs not even considered, and utmost respect attempted, as you really feel like you are walking through their houses.

Amazingly, in someone's "entry", there might be an esky full of meat, basic grocery items and fresh vegetables, which, I guess is a sort of equivalent to the "corner store". I really felt intrusive walking by - but, typically, the Thai people here were unhassled, acted as though it happens all day every day (which it must!) and either continued dozing or lazily nodded and smiled in response to our smiles.

Then - the museum is upon you - full of gold and the wealth abundant in any cultural association with royalty and religion in Bangkok. Of course we all enjoyed it when we got there - and, as with most places you wander in Bangkok, plenty of interesting things to see along the way.

If you visit the museum, be prepared to have to buy a pass and the right to photograph the barges as well.

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Housed in the Shed of the Royal Barges, Thonburi, are the the ranked royal barges and the escort barges. This barge was commissioned in 1994 for the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of HM the King's reign.