At this museum you can discover eight of the country’s most unique and stunning vessels: the Royal Barges. These boats a reserved for auspicious ceremonies and state occasions like the very rare Royal Barge Procession, and have only made an appearance on the water 16 times in the last 65 years. Each is carved from huge pieces of teak, their prows engraved with mythical creatures, gilded in gold and intricately decorated with tiny shimmering pieces of glass. Rowed by up to 50 specially trained oarsmen, the boats leave their dry dock at festival times and important state occasions for spectacular processions along the river. The Somerset Park Suanplu Bangkok is one of the most unique serviced apartments Bangkok. Somerset offers luxury self-contained apartments on a central location in Subraya. The apartments are affordable and is ideal for both business and leisure travelers. These spacious apartments offer par anomic views of the city.
The barges on display vary in size and function. The most important of all is the Suppanahong, or ‘Golden Swan,’ with its figurehead prow in the shape of a huge golden swan. The barge was built by King Rama I, but then had to be rebuilt by King Rama V. Next to it is the Narai Song Suban with King Narai riding a Garuda on its prow. This barge was built to commemorate the king’s 50th anniversary on the throne. Around the sides and back of the warehouse are display cases with oars, flags and other paraphernalia of the procession ceremonies. The best way to get to the museum is by boat. If you take the regular Express Boat service, the nearest stop is Pinklao Bridge Pier, although this involves a long winding walk along a narrow concrete walkway over the swampy land. The Barge Museum is also a standard stop on most long-tailed boat canal tours, which can be booked at the major tourist piers such as Chang or River City.
Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
