Royal Barge Museum in Bangkok
Back in 1983 , it was my first time to see the real royal barge procession ceremony in the Chaophraya River. I stood among a huge crowd beside the river bank. Everything in the river seemed quiet. No boats sailing on the river. Only groups of Royal Barges with our Kng in the river. It was a really great experience for me. I was only 8 years old at that time.
Today, I went to the Royal Barge Meseum in Bangkok. This is the place where are kept the real royal barges of Thailand for education and also for use as a royal barge dock. These royal barges may be used again in the future. If there is a royal barge ceremony again, I will not miss it for sure.
The Royal Barge Museum is located near Bangkok Noi Railway Station. I paid 30 baht for 3 three of us , Nue, Aom and myself. I also paid a 100 baht fee for the use of still camera in the dock. If you want to bring your camera here, you have to pay an additional fee for the use of each type of the camera . The rough fee guide is 10 baht for the museum , 100 baht for a still camera, 200 baht for a video camera , and 300 for video camera with commercial purpose . It is so cheap, isn’t?
When I walked into the museum, I sighed and said “wow” . After 20 years of my first time I saw the boat real close. This is the second time I saw it so close. Only 1 metre from the boat. It seems bigger than I thought. It may be because 20 years ago I saw it in the river and far from where I stood.
The royal barge is made of wood with great craftmanship unique only to Thai trditional craftmen. You have to see it by yourself to appreciate it.. This place is a another must visit for you if you have enough time in Bankok. Not all thai people have a chance to see these barges so close like nowsaday. If you have a chance, please go there and see why these royal barges got the awards from the International Institute of Boats.
Supannahongsa boat, Naraisongsuban boat and Anantanakaraja boat are amazing. The gold colour is very beautiful. The Royal Barge Museum has a very unique location. Itis on the Bangkok Noi Canal. All the barges can be dropped into the river if needed. This is one of the place that I can stay for a long hour to see. In this museum, you can watch a video of the royal barge history, read the history and see a lot of real things that are used in the real ceremony. DON’T MISS IT.