This shed
where several royal barges are displayed is located on Klong
Bangkok Noi off the Chao Phaya River not far from Phra Pinklao
Bridge. The barges were used on royal and government occasions
and formerly served as war vessels. The most beautiful
and well-known barge is Suphamahong used by the King only
when he made his royal river procession for the Kathin ceremony
- a Buddhist tradition of offering robes to monks, usually during
October or November. Each barge has a unique design with its special
decorative details.
The barges
figured prominently in the bicentennial celebrations of
the Chakri Dynasty in 1982 and in the celebrations of the King's
60th birthday in 1987.
The shed is
open to the public daily 8:30-16:30.
