Royal Barge Museum

KRUNG THEP - Bangkok in Thai Language

Royal Barge Museum

This shed where several royal barges are displayed is located on Klong Bangkok Noi off the Chao Phaya River not far from Phra Pinklao Bridge. It is towards the North of the Grand Palace. The Shed houses gilded vessels once used for war and currently used by the King for ceremonies of religious importance. Similar to ancient Viking boats but more ornate, these royal yachts are a spectacle even on land. Klong (canal) tours often stop there. The unique design and decorative details of each barge should be of great interest to all visitors.

Royal Barges are fantastically ornamented boats used in ceremonial processions on the river. The largest is fifty meters long and required a rowing crew of fifty, plus seven men, tow navigators, a flagman, a rhythm-keeper and chanter.

The most beautiful and well-known barge is Suphamahong, King's personal barge, used by the King only when he made his royal river procession for the Kathin ceremony - a Buddhist tradition of offering robes to monks, usually during October or November. Each barge has a unique design with its special decorative details.

The barges figured prominently in the bicentennial celebrations of the Chakri Dynasty in 1982 and in the celebrations of the King's 60th birthday in 1987.

The shed is open to the public daily 8:30-16:30. Admission fee is 30 Baht, but if you want to take pictures, there is an additional charge involved for permission to take pictures. Telephone - 4240004.