Royal Barges National Museum

Royal Barges National deposit is set on the bank of 1 of the various Chao Phraya River’s channels, shortly from the noted Temple of Dawn. This watercourse could be a important life artery of capital of Thailand. The deposit is mentioned not in each guide-book. Meanwhile, it's no less fascinating than others a lot of noted museums of the Thai capital. It keeps really distinctive exhibits: paddle boats with superb structure and décor that belonged to Thailand’s kings.
Several centuries past Chao Phraya watercourse and its various channels (klongs), running through town, served as Bangkok’s main transport arteries. Therefore, capital’s residents touched chiefly on long boats with paddles, that might rigorously maneuver through slim channels and tributaries. undefeated traders, statesmen and alternative flush Bangkok’s locals had their own boats, that stood out against the background of others for his or her size and richness of their decoration.

Elegant barges that belonged to the royalty were the foremost lovely and splendid ones. They were adorned with clever carving, crusted with precious stones, and coated with silver and gold. A monarch participated in solemn events and totally different customs (as a rule, religious), that were command afloat, on his own boat.

Royal Barges National Museum  

Today eight most noted and delightful paddle boats, that were utilized by Thailand’s rulers throughout ceremonial processions on the watercourse, may be seen within the Royal Barges National deposit. every of those teak boats is unreproducible , has its own distinctive ornament and is adorned with wood sculptures of legendary creatures. The sculptures area unit gilded and embellished with colourful items of glass. There was an area for king and his family within the middle of a barge, that was steered by up to fifty specially trained rowers.
One of the foremost noted barges is Suphannahong (literally: Golden Swan). designed for the King avatar VI, in 1911, it's the oldest boat within the deposit. It accustomed be the most important barge in Asian nation back then: it had been forty five meters long and three meters wide, and was steered by fifty four rowers. Vessel’s bow was adorned with a gilded figure, formed as a swan head. Another noteworthy exhibit of the Royal Barges National deposit is that the boat Narai Song Suban Ratchakan Thi Kao, created comparatively recently, in 1996. it had been created to the golden day of the ascent to the throne of Thailand's monarch.
These and 6 a lot of impressive royal barges area unit set within the open structure. many dozens of smaller boats area unit moored to the moorage. additionally, the deposit includes many halls, wherever models of various boats and footage of gala processions area unit exhibited. you'll additionally learn the history of construction in Asian nation in these halls.
If you're lucky to go to capital of Thailand within the late October, you may be ready to see royal barges not solely as museum’s exhibits. a number of them participate within the annual Parade of Royal Barges, that is seen because the most colourful and spectacular vacation within the country. This tradition was ordered 700 years past and was revived within the last half of the twentieth century. As a rule, over fifty royal barges participate within the parade. they're steered by over 2 thousand rowers.
Getting there. the foremost convenient means is to require Chao Phraya categorical Boat to the Wang Lang pier (N10) or Phra Pin Klao Bridge (N12), and so follow the signs to the Arun Ammarin Bridge.