Thailand > Central > Bangkok > Royal Barge National Museum

Royal Barge National Museum, Bangkok
 

This shed, where several royal barges are displayed, is located near Phra Pin Klao Bridge on Thon Buri side. It is next to Wat Arun and The Royal Thai Nava Dockyard.

The barges were used on royal occasions and formerly served as war vessels. The most beautiful barge is “Suphannahong” 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. The unique design and decorative details of each barge should be of great interest to all visitors. The shed is open everyday from 9.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. Admission fee is 30 Baht.

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Praya Palazzo
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  Dinner Cruise, along the Chaopraya River, start from Montien Riverside Hotel at 19:30 hrs daily, with mininum 4 pax. The cruise will drop at this Museum in the night.

Comment# 1 at: 2008-10-03 12:37:17 Comment by: TT


The Royal Barge Procession is conducted in one of two formations, the Major and the Minor.

The Major formation, also known as the Major Battle Formation (Petch Phuang Major Battle Formation) dates from the time of King Narai. This formation is used for the more significant events, such as The Royal Kathin Ceremony, movement of the sacred image of Buddha, or important occasions of state. The Petch Phuang Formation is arranged into five columns, with the Royal Barges in the center, and two rows of war barges on each side. In the Minor formation, there are three columns, the Royal Barges in the middle, and a single row on each side.

Major Barge Procession
Arranged in five rows.

1 pair of lead barges carrying high ranking officials with the position of permanent undersecretary.
1 pair of ancient Thai battle boats with cannons at the bow, carrying army conniellers.
2 pairs of plain outer barges
4 pairs of inner barges with decorated mastheads in the shape of the garuda, monkeys, and ogres.
1 outer drum boat, 1 inner drum boat, with 6 musicians playing the Java pipes and Indian drums.
1 inner, 1 outer boat for the Royal Police.
The Ekachai Barge with covered throne for monks' robes, the Buddha image or flower arrangements complete with regalia.
The Ekachai Hern Hao Barge and the Ekachai Lao Thong Barge, carrying musicians to lead the Royal Barge.

The Royal Barge with covered throne and regalia
Pavilion Barge for the King's change of robes
Second Royal barge
1 pair of Police barges
2 pairs of Army barges
1 pair of plain rear barges

Minor Barge Procession
1 pair lead barges
1 pair attack barges
7 pairs plain barges
4 pairs animal masthead barges
1 left drum boat, 1 right drum boat
2 police boats -- left and right
The Ekachai Barge with covered throne for monks' robes, Buddha image or flower arrangement complete with regalia
The Ekachai Hern Hao Barge with musicians and the Ekachai Lao Thong Barge
The Royal Barge with appropriate regalia
The Second Royal barge
1 pair police Barges

Comment# 2 at: 2008-10-03 12:38:50 Comment by: TT


The Royal Barge Suphannahong (means. the Golden Swan) was built in 1911 during the reign of Rama VI with a bow resembling a mythical swan, or Hong, adorned with gold lacquer and glass jewels, with a crystalline ball and tassle dangling from her mouth. This 46 meter craft was carved from a single trunk of teakwood, and was launched November 13, 1911. There is a golden pavilion on board to house the King and his Royal family. The World Ship Trust, in 1992, awarded the Royal Barge Suphannahong as a Maritime World Heritage.

Comment# 3 at: 2008-10-03 12:40:51 Comment by: TT


The original The Royal Barge Anantanakkharat (means. Ananta, the King of Snake) was built during the reign of Rama III (King Nangklao). It was used as the primary Royal Barge of Rama IV (King Mongkut). The current Anantanakkharat was built during the Reign of Rama VI (King Vajiravudh), and launched on April 14, 1914. The bow is carved into the 7-headed Nakkharat, the mystical snake-like creature, in gold lacquer and glass jewels.

Comment# 4 at: 2008-10-03 12:41:27 Comment by: TT


The Royal Barge Anekkhachatphuchong (means. the Varieties of Snake) is the oldest of the four Royal barges, being the actual barge built during the reign of Rama V (King Chulalongkorn). While no mystical figure is readily visible on the bow, numerous small ornamental Naga figures are carved into the bow.

Comment# 5 at: 2008-10-03 12:44:20 Comment by: TT


The Royal Barge Narai Song Suban Ratchakan Thi Kao or The Royal Barge Narai Song Suban HM King Rama IX (means. God Narayana on his carrier, Garuda) is the only barge built during the reign of Bhumipol Adulyadej, who laid the keel in 1994, it was built under commission by the Royal Thai Navy and the Thai Department of Fine Arts and was launched May 6, 1996 to coincide with the celebration of Bhumibol Adulyadej's Fiftieth Anniversary of his accession to the throne.

Comment# 6 at: 2008-10-03 12:44:50 Comment by: TT


KRUT CLASS ESCORTS
The Krut, or garuda, steed of Vishnu, is the figurehead of this pair. The garuda is depicted in flight, with protruding eyes and bared fangs. Its arms and legs are spread, with feathers fluttering in the wind, and it holds a naga in each hand and foot. The figurehead straddles a bowchaser cannon port. The hulls are decorated with gilded lacquer in traditional floral motifs.

The garuda on Krut Hern Het is red while the one on Krut Tret Traichak is pink.

Comment# 7 at: 2008-10-03 12:45:25 Comment by: TT


Krut Hern Het was built in the reign of King Rama I and was destroyed during World War II. Its successor was launched on April 21, 1962. Length: 28.58m, beam 2.10m and hull 56cm deep.

Comment# 8 at: 2008-10-03 12:46:15 Comment by: TT


Krut Tret Traichak was damaged by bombing during World War II. The figurehead and the stern were conserved by the Fine Arts Department. The present barge was commissioned in June 22, 1968. Length 28.72m, beam 2.08m, hull 55cm deep.

Comment# 9 at: 2008-10-03 13:12:43 Comment by: TT

KRABI CLASS ESCORTS
These four barges have crowned monkey figureheads representing the simian warriors from the Ramakian — the Thai literary epic based on the Ramayana — where they serve Rama, an incarnation of Vishnu; hence their appearance on the Royal Barges of Kings. The figureheads of Hanuman on the Krabi Prab Muang Marn and the Nilaphat on the Krabi Ran Ron Rap are presented as being at attention, with gilded robes flowing in the wind. The origin of these two barges is unknown.

Comment# 10 at: 2008-10-03 13:14:15 Comment by: TT


The Krabi Prab Muang Marn was damaged by bombing during World War II. The stern and stem were preserved by the Fine Arts Department. A new hull was built in 1967, with a major repair in 1981. Length: 28.85m, beam 2.10m and hull 56cm deep.

Comment# 11 at: 2008-10-03 13:17:56 Comment by: TT


The body and stem of Krabi Ran Ron Rap were rebuilt in 1966, with a major repair in 1981. Each boat has 36 oarsmen, 2 steersmen, 1 officer, 1 standard bearer and 1 signalman. The dates of construction of Pali Rang Thaveep and Sukhreep Krong Muang are unknown. They were restored in 1981. The two escort barges have crowned figureheads at the prow. Pali Rang Thaveep: Length 29.03m, beam 2m and hull 63cm deep. Sukhreep Krong Muang: Length: 29.10m, beam 1.98m and hull 60cm deep. Each is crewed by 36 oarsmen, 1 officer, 2 steersmen, 1 standard bearer, 1 signalman, 10 drummers.
---------------
Pictue: Pali Rang Thaveep

Comment# 12 at: 2008-10-03 13:19:15 Comment by: TT


pic: Sukhreep Krong Muang

Comment# 13 at: 2008-10-03 13:20:19 Comment by: TT


ASURA CLASS ESCORTS
This pair of second-ranking escort barges have asura — half-bird, half-ogre —guardian figureheads. The top half of the figurehead is fierce and exudes strength, while the bird-like bottom half is delicate in design. As with the other escort barges, the figurehead straddles a bowchaser cannon port over a floral hull. The date of their construction is unknown. It is only recorded that they were restored in 1971. Asura Vayuphak: Length 31m, beam 2.03m and hull 62cm deep. Asura Paksi: Length 31.16m, beam 2.03m and hull 61cm deep. Each boat is crewed by 40 oarsmen, 2 steersmen, 1 officer, 1 standard bearer and 1 signalman.
----------------------------------
pic: Asura Paksi

Comment# 14 at: 2008-10-03 13:22:23 Comment by: TT


pic: Asura Vayuphak

Comment# 15 at: 2008-10-03 13:31:52 Comment by: TT


SUEA CLASS ESCORTS
Among the most easily recognisable of the escort barges are the two Suea, or tiger, barges. The bow of each barge is painted with a ferocious looking tiger head, and the hull is decorated with tiger stripes. These barges are further distinguished in that their cannons stick out prominently over their bows, and their hulls are brightly coloured. Suea Thayan Chon: Length 22.20m, beam 1.75m and hull 70cm deep. Suea Kamron Sindh: Length 22.23m, beam 1.75m and hull 70cm deep. Each boat carries 26 oarsmen, 2 steersmen, 1 officer, 1 signalman, 2 palace officers.

Comment# 16 at: 2008-10-03 13:56:15 Comment by: TT


EKACHAI CLASS ESCORTS
The Ekachai class has a tapered cylindrical figurehead. This represents the horn of the mythical hera, or horned dragon. The head and body of the dragon is depicted on the hull in a pattern of gold leaf over black lacquer. It is depicted as a fierce beast with open mouth breathing fire, protruding fangs and long tongue supporting a crystal orb. The two former barges of this type were built during the reign of King Rama I (1782-1809), but were destroyed during World War II. The two present boats were built in 1965. Ekachai Hernhow: Length 29.76m, beam 2.06m and hull 60cm deep. Ekachai Laothong: Length 29.64m, beam 1.96m and hull 60cm deep. Each boat is manned by 38 oarsmen, 2 steersmen, 2 officers, 1 standard bearer and 1 signalman.

Comment# 17 at: 2008-10-03 14:01:58 Comment by: TT


Subanahongsa Royal Barge: 50 oarsmen, 2 steersmen, 2 officers, 1 standard bearer, 1 signalman, 7 royal insignia bearers

Comment# 18 at: 2008-10-03 14:06:24 Comment by: TT


Fee Pai (Oarsmen)
Uniform worn by 50 oarsmen of the Subanahongsa Royal Barge, 50 oarsmen of the Narayana Song Suban HM King Rama IX and 61 oarsmen of the Anekajatbhujonga Royal Barge.
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pic: oarsmen of the Subanahongsa Royal Barge

Comment# 19 at: 2008-10-03 14:10:04 Comment by: TT


Nai Tai (Steersmen) Uniform worn by two steersmen of the Royal Barges Subanahongsa, Narayana Song Suban HM King Rama IX, Anantanagaraj, and Anekajatbhujonga.
----------------------
pic: Nai Tai of the Subanahongs Royal Barge

Comment# 20 at: 2008-10-03 14:14:05 Comment by: TT


Sant Yan (Signalman) Uniform worn by one signalman on the Royal Barges Subanahongsa, Narayana Song Suban HM King Rama IX, Anantanagaraj, and Anekajatbhujonga.
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pic: Sant Yan of the Subanahongsa Royal Barge

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