If you’re looking for a unique cultural experience in Bangkok, make sure to check out the Royal Barges Museum. This hidden gem is located along the Chao Phraya River, and it’s the perfect place to learn more about Thailand’s rich history and traditions.
Getting There
The Royal Barges Museum is located on a canal on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River and is easy to reach for those based at properties like Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel. You can use the Chao Phraya Express Boat to get to this site via Wang Lang Pier (N10) which is within walking distance. You can also consider going on a longtail boat tour which includes a stop at the museum.
What are the Royal Barges?
The Royal Barges are a fleet of elaborately decorated boats that have been used in royal ceremonies since the 14th century. These boats are not just any ordinary vessels – they are works of art, adorned with intricate carvings, gold leaf, and brightly coloured glass. They are also enormous, with some measuring up to 45 metres in length! For those based at a Riverside hotel, Bangkok adventures should thus definitely include a stop at this museum.
What to Expect
At the museum, you’ll get a chance to see some of the most beautiful and historically significant Royal Barges up close. The centrepiece of the collection is the Suphannahong, which is considered the most important of all the Royal Barges. This magnificent boat which is the king’s personal barge is carved to look like a mythical swan, with a long, curved neck, glittering in gilded gold.
In addition to the Suphannahong, you’ll also see other stunning Royal Barges, such as the Narai Song Suban, which is decorated with intricate carvings and features the Hindu god Vishnu on its bow. There are smaller boats each with its own unique characteristics too, which were used to transport the royal family and their entourage.
Other Highlights
In addition to seeing the Royal Barges, you can also learn more about their history and the important role they played in Thai culture. The museum has a collection of artefacts and exhibits that explain the significance of the barges and their use in royal ceremonies.
If you’re lucky, you may even get a chance to see the Royal Barges in action! On special occasions, the boats are taken out of the museum and paraded down the Chao Phraya River, letting visitors witness their magnificence first-hand.
