Royal Barges National Museum

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Historic Royal Boats in a Thonburi Canal Boathouse

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The Royal Barges National Museum displays the ceremonial boats used by the Thai Royal Family during processions on the Chao Phraya River. We visited on a weekday morning and had the place almost to ourselves. It’s in a large boathouse along a canal in Thonburi, not far from Phra Pin Klao Bridge. The barges are real, not replicas. They’re kept here for preservation and only brought out for major royal ceremonies.

The museum is basically one large covered hall. It’s dark inside and smells faintly of old wood. The barges are arranged in rows, and you walk around them on raised platforms. There’s no air conditioning, just fans, so it can get warm in the afternoon.

What to See

The main attraction is the Suphannahong, or Golden Swan. It’s over 40 metres long and carved from a single tree trunk. The bow is shaped like a mythical swan covered in gold leaf and glass inlays. It was built in 1911 and is reserved for the king. Standing next to it, you realise how much work went into something that only comes out every few years.

Other Barges on Display

Anantanakkharat – Seven-headed naga figure at the bow.
Narai Song Suban – The god Narai riding a garuda. Built during the reign of King Rama IX.
Krut Hern Het – Red garuda holding a naga in its claws.
Asura Vayuphak – Half-demon, half-bird figure.

Each barge has information panels explaining the mythology and symbolism. The decorations are detailed, and you can spend time just looking at the carvings up close. There are also old photographs, videos, and scale models showing how the barges are arranged during processions. This tradition goes back more than 700 years.

Royal Barge Processions

A full procession involves more than 50 boats and over 2,000 oarsmen in traditional uniforms. These events are rare now. They happen for coronations and major royal ceremonies. The last one was in 2019 for King Rama X’s coronation. If you’ve never seen one, the museum gives you a sense of the scale, though obviously it’s not the same as watching it on the river.

Getting There

The museum is a bit out of the way. From Phra Pin Klao Pier, it’s about a 15-20 minute walk through local streets, or you can take a motorcycle taxi for 20-30 Baht. The entrance is easy to miss. Look for a small sign and a narrow lane leading to the boathouse.

Entry is 100 Baht for foreigners. Check opening times before you go, as the museum sometimes closes for royal preparations or maintenance.

Is It Worth Visiting?

It’s not a must-see in the way the Grand Palace is, but if you’re interested in Thai royal history or traditional craftsmanship, it’s worth the trip. We spent about 45 minutes there. It’s quiet, uncrowded, and different from the usual Bangkok tourist spots. Combine it with a visit to Wang Lang Market or Wat Arun nearby.

Tours Available