Royal Barges National Museum: the King's Boats in Bangkok Noi

Updated on October 1, 2026

The Royal Barges National Museum occupies a large covered shed on the Khlong Bangkok Noi, on the Thonburi bank, a few minutes from the mouth of the canal and Siriraj Hospital. It holds eight of the 52 barges used in royal processions on the Chao Phraya, 28 to 46 metres long, carved and gilded, with a swan, a seven-headed naga or the god Vishnu on his mount Garuda at the bow. The former dry dock of the Royal Household and the Navy, heavily bombed during the Second World War, was restored by the Fine Arts Department from 1949 and became a national museum in 1972. The museum is open every day from 9 am to 5 pm; admission costs 200 THB for foreign visitors. Allow 45 minutes to an hour for the visit, which combines well with a boat trip on the [klongs of Thonburi](/fr/attractions/klongs-de-thonburi).

Highlights

The Suphannahong barge

This is the King's own barge during processions: its bow, shaped like a golden swan, the hamsa, rises high above the shed. It is 46.15 metres long, rowed by 50 oarsmen, and received the Maritime Heritage Award of the World Ship Trust, a British award for historic vessels.

The Anantanakkharat barge

Its bow bears a seven-headed naga, the mythical serpent that protects the Buddha. It is 44.85 metres long with 54 oarsmen, and during processions it carries the robes and offerings presented to the monks.

The Narai Song Suban and Anekkachatphuchong barges

The first, built for the fiftieth anniversary of King Bhumibol's (Rama IX) reign, shows Vishnu (Narai) standing on Garuda at its bow. The second, decorated with small nagas all along the hull, is the longest barge on display after the Suphannahong and has 60 oarsmen.

The objects around the barges

Along the docks, the museum shows oars, parts of thrones and procession decorations, as well as the figurehead of an earlier Narai Song Suban barge from the reign of Rama III.

Infos pratiques

Tips

Admission 200 THB for foreign visitors and 20 THB for Thai nationals, free for school pupils and students in uniform, monks and clergy (prices published by the Fine Arts Department, checked in October 2026; some guides still say 100 THB). Several guides also mention a fee to take photos or film: ask at the ticket office. Before a procession, the barges leave the shed to be prepared by the Navy and used in rehearsals on the river: the Suphannahong was launched on 5 August 2026 for the procession of 6 November 2026. Until about mid-November 2026, several boats may therefore be missing from the museum: call 02 424 0004 before you go. In 2026, the procession (52 barges, about 2,200 Navy oarsmen) leaves Wasukri pier and travels down the [Chao Phraya](/fr/attractions/fleuve-chao-phraya-bangkok) to Wat Arun, passing the [Grand Palace](/fr/attractions/grand-palais-bangkok). The full-dress rehearsals on 21 and 28 October and the procession itself can be watched for free from both banks, between Krung Thon Bridge and Wat Arun. The royal funeral chariots, the monarchy's other great collection of ceremonial vehicles, are on display at the [Bangkok National Museum](/fr/attractions/musee-national-bangkok), on the other bank, near Sanam Luang.

How to get there

80/1 Arun Amarin Road, Arun Amarin, Bangkok Noi, Bangkok 10700, on the Khlong Bangkok Noi, on the Thonburi bank. Chao Phraya Express Boat to Phra Pin Klao Bridge pier (N12), then 15 to 20 minutes on foot along Soi Wat Dusitaram (Somdet Phra Pin Klao Soi 1), a lane signposted to the museum, or a motorbike taxi. Buses 57, 79, 80, 81, 91, 123 and 124 on Arun Amarin Road. Long-tail boats hired for the klongs can also stop at the museum pier.