Royal Barges National Museum

Royal Barges Museum houses and protects the royal barges and offers tourists and visitors the exhibition of richly carved royal barges with elite design and ornamental details. These barges are used on the ceremonial and government occasions and celebrations and previously were treated as war vessels.

The Royal Barges National Museum is positioned on Klong Bangkok. The royal museum is flanked by the Chad Phraya River. It regally displays the eight royal barges namely Asurawayuphak, Ananta Nakharaj, Anekachat Bhujong, Krut Heurn Het, Suphannahong, Narai Song Subhen, Krabi Prab Ming Marn and Ekachai Heurn Hao.

The most lovely and glorious barge is ‘Suphanahong'. It is used by the King only to mark Kathin ceremony in his royal annual River processions. Kathin is primarily a conventional Buddhist ceremony where robes are presented to the monks. It is usually held during October or November. The procession is impressive and crowds from far places throng along the riverside to view this amazing sight. The most recent barge ‘Narai Songsuban Ratchakan Thi Kao' was used and built on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of His Majesty the King's succession to the throne on 1996. The royal barges are also viewed during the Rattanakosin centenary celebration and the reception ceremony of the APEC 2003.

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