The Royal Boat Museum is a dry dock where 8 surviving royal vessels from a magnificent fleet that once consisted of 51 boats are on display. It is recommended to get to the place by boat, through the Bangkok Noi Canal, using the Chao Phraya Express Boat. You can also reach by land, but this option is less convenient.
The visit to the museum is highly recommended due to the fact that it enables a magical journey into the past, history, art and culture of the Kingdom of Siam. It is an even more enjoyable experience for boat, ship and watercraft enthusiasts.
The eight vessels that are stationed on the dry dock were used in the past as sea transportation for the Thai royalty or as war vessels for the navy, but they are also a spectacular work of art in their own right. The figures on the boats reflect the influence of Hindu folklore on Thai culture. The exact figures and the various decorations were carved in teak wood with great precision and the design also incorporated gold coatings and pieces of sparkling glass - an expression of the power and wealth of the royal house.
All eight vessels are impressive and each has a slightly different style, but the most beautiful of them all is without a doubt the king's boat, which was carved from a single unit of teak wood and topped with a golden swan - a famous creature in Hindu mythology. This boat was built in 1911, its length is 49 meters and it has 54 oars.
Some of the vessels displayed in the museum were damaged by bombings during World War II. The complex restoration work of the wooden boats began in 1949 and was done by skilled professionals and craftsmen, as part of an attempt to preserve the heritage and history of Thailand. The restoration of the vessel was completed only in 1972.
Although the vessels are mainly used for display, occasionally the king makes use of one of the vessels, mainly for state visits and to demonstrate the cultural power and tradition of the Thai royal dynasty.
The place is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. The entrance fee is one hundred baht per person. Please note that if you want to take photos, this involves an additional fee. There is a different rate for video recording.
