Royal Barges

Royal Barge Shed. Displays the Thai Royal Barges formerly used as war vassals but now by the Royal family in River Processions. The most beautiful "Suphannahong is also there.

The barges are kept in sheds on the Thonburi side of the river. The sheds are next to Khlong Bangkok Noi, near Saphan Phra Pin Klao (Phra Pin Klao Bridge). Suphannahong, the king's personal barge, is the most important of the boats. Made from a single piece of timber, it's the largest dugout in the world. The name means 'Golden Swan', and a huge swan head has been carved into the bow of the barge. Lesser barges feature bows carved into other Hindu- Buddhist mythological shapes such as the Naga (mythical sea serpent) and the Garuda (Vishnu's bird mount).

How to get there: To get there, take bus No 19 or 91 or take a ferry to Tha Rot Fai, then walk down the street parallel to the railway tracks until you come to a bridge over the khlawng (canal; also written khlong). Follow the bridge to a labyrinth of concrete walkways that pass through some poor housing areas and eventually lead to the barge sheds. You can also get there by taking a khlawng taxi (5B) up the canal and getting off near the bridge.

Opening hours: Daily from 09.00 am to 17:00 pm

---

Contact Information

Royal Barges
on Klong Bangkok Noi off the Chao Phraya River
20001 Bangkok



http://www.thailandmuseum.com