The museum was formerly a dry dock for barges and warships under the care of the Bureau of the Royal Household and the Royal Thai Navy. The dock and barges sustained severe bombing damage during World War II, but in 1949 they were restored by the Fine Arts Department as part of the Thai cultural heritage. Repairs were completed and the dock became the National Museum of Royal Barges in 1972.
Exhibition
Boat and Barge:
There are 8 of 52 important royal barges displayed in this museum
The figurehead of Vishnu god mounted on a garuda holding on Naga (the legendary creature, appearance as great snake). Porthole for cannon beneath the Garuda. Decorated with golden lacquer and glass ornaments
Dimensions
Length 44.30 meters; Width 3.20 meters at the beam; Hull depth 1.10 cm
Seven-headed nagas shape prow. Decorated with golden lacquer and glass ornaments. The hull is green outside and red inside.
Dimensions
Length 44.85 meters; Width 3.17 meters at the beam; Hull depth 94 cm
Power
Driving power of 3.02 meters per stroke
Crew
54 oarsmen, 2 steersmen
5. Ekachai Hern How Barge
Appearance
The figurehead of Hera ( Naga-headed Dragons) decorated with golden lacquer.
Dimensions
Length 29.76 meters; Width 2.06 meters at the beam; Hull depth 60 cm
Power
Driving power of 3 meters per stroke
Crew
38 oarsmen, 2 steersmen
6. Krabi Prab Muang Marn Barge
Appearance
The figurehead of uncrowned monkey warrior with white body of Hanuman. Decorated with golden lacquer and glass.
Dimension
Length 28.85 meters; Width 2.10 meters at the beam; Hull depth 56 cm
Power
Driving power of 2.6 meters per stroke
Crew
36 oarsmen, 2 steersmen
7. Asura Vayuphak Barge
Appearance
The Figurehead of an ogre-faced bird. Face, hands and feet are indigo, the front is purple, and the back is green. The hull is black outside.
Dimensions
Length 31 meters; Width 2.03 meters at the beam; Hull depth 62 cm
Power
Driving power of 2.6 meters per stroke
Crew
30 oarsmen, 2 steersmen
8.Krut Hern Het Barge
Appearance
The prow features a garuda clutching a naga. The hull is red inside and black with floral designs in gold on the outside.
Dimensions
Length 28.58 meters; Width 2.10 meters at the beam; Hull depth 60 cm
Power
Driving power of 2.6 meters per stroke
Crew
34 oarsmen, 2 steersmen
2. History
2.1 Evidence of Royal Barge and royal Barge Procession
2.2 Battle formations
2.3 Ceremonial Processions
3. Bangkok Period Royal Barge Heritage
3.1 Building process
3.2 Description of the figureheads
3.3 The royal barge procession
3.4 Relevance to Thai art history
4. Royal Barge Narai Song Suban – Rama IX
4.1 Detail of Royal Barge Narai Song Suban
4.2 Building detail
4.3 Royal ceremonies
4.4 Initiation of the procession
5. Royal Barge Procession Chants
5.1 The percussion instruments
5.2 Meaning of the song
6. Royal Barge Suphannahong and the World Ship Prize.
6.1 Full history of the Royal barge Suphannahong
6.2 Art and craftsmanship
6.3 Award
Ratree Buapradit (2006). Guide to the National Museum of the Royal barges. Department of Fine Arts. ISBN974-425-054-2.
Buapradit, R. (2009). Guide to the National Museum of the Royal Barges. (M. Samransuk, D. Kamalanon, & R. Buapradit, Trans.) Bangkok, Thailand: Amarin Printing