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3.5
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The Royal Barges are moored up in sheds in the Museum on Bangkok Noi Canal (Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya).
Not the barges that carry coal and stuff. Nope, these are golden, covered with fragments of glass and are fantastically decorated with carved prows (front bits). Our British Queen, Liz, has a big golden carriage she uses to open Parliament. The Thai King, Bhumipol, has a flotilla of barges? got the idea?
The most impressive barge is Suphanahong, the King?s personal. Subanahongsa, (golden hamsa) refers to the swan-like mythical steed of the Hindu god Brahma, of Thai lore during the Ayutthaya period (around 400 years back). When Brahma wasn't using his elephant, Erawan.
In the museum we also get treated to the century old one, and it is holding up well? built in 1911 to resemble that important river bird. 50 metres long? it is huge!!!! Hewn from one single teak tree. You can tell the barges the royal family use, they have golden pavilions on board to keep the baking sun off. 54 oarsmen are needed to get the largest rolling, paddling away to the beat of a drum. There are also five "smaller" (!), but not much, barges on display. The prows have various themes - all referring to gods - and must have taken an age to carve, paint, stick the glass bits on. With canon poking out front between the "gods' " parts. Beautiful.
I?ve only seen the flotilla on the river on TV once, the Kings 72nd birthday bash. It was hard to get a good view down on the river itself. 50 plus boats gliding through the water with over 2,000 oarsmen for three kilometres. Almost as good as watching the Head of the River the week before the Boat Race on the Tideway, London. Glad I don't have to stroke the things at full stretch, race rating.
Updated Oct 11, 2005
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The royal barges take to the water usually once or a few times a year on special occasions. Hundreds of men will row these amazing royal boats across the Chao Phraya. Unfortunately, many of us are not lucky enough to be in Bangkok for this occasion. Otherwise, you can come here on the other side of the Chao Phraya near the Saphan Phra bridge. It's a small museum,but they do show video of the boats in action.
You can combine this with a klong tour
Written Apr 20, 2005
Address: Khlong Bangkok Noi, Thonburi
Phone: (02) 4240004
Website: http://www.gothailand.com/bangkok/thingstodo/frameme.php?page=royal-barges.htm
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You will find this museum when you take a cruise along the Chao Praya River.
Here you will find the old Royal Barges in which the kings went over the river.
Especially the fronts of these barges are impressive and scary cause they had to scare the bad spirits.
You do have to pay to take pictures!
Updated Jan 3, 2005
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Since Ayudhaya period, the royal barges was so important for the Kings. As history record always told about the royal barge procession. In Rattanakosin period ,this tradition was still in royal ceremony though some parts of history ,this tradition was skipped by the king 's order. But all royal barges always kept and protected in a good condition.
Actually there 're many shipyards in BKK, such as Vasukri Pier Shipyard,Rajvoradit Pier Shipyard .But only here ,Bangkoknoi shipyard where open as museum for public visiting.
Open 9.00-16.00 ,everyday(close on national holidays)
Entrance fee : 30 B
Updated Oct 29, 2004
Address: Arun-amarin Rd.,Bangkoknoi ,Thonburi
Phone: 0-2424-0004
Website: http://www.thailandmuseum.com/thaimuseum_eng/royalbarges/history.html
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The fantastically decorated royal barges are still used occasionally by the King and the Royal family. The most beautiful and well known is the 'Suphanahong' used only by the King. The most important barges are kept in sheds on the Thon Buri side of the river and can be viewed daily by the public. The museum is open daily 9am-5pm.
Written Aug 24, 2002
Written Jun 24, 2007
Address: 80/1 Rimklong Bangkok Noi, Thanon Arun Amarin
Phone: (02) 4240004
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These beautifully decorated longboats were once used for royal and governmental functions. The most renowned for its beauty is the Suphanahongse, a golden swan barge used solely by the king.
Written Sep 23, 2004
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80/1 Rimklong Bangkok Noi, Thanon Arun Amarin
Royal Barges Museum tips and photos posted by real travelers and Bangkok locals.
Write a ReviewThese beautifully decorated longboats were once used for royal and governmental functions. The most renowned for its beauty is the Suphanahongse, a golden swan...
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