Facts And Information About The Royal Barges Museum
Bangkok, Thailand is a beautiful place to visit. Full of history and culture, it is a place that seems almost trapped in time. The Royal Barges Museum in Bangkok is a great way to spend an afternoon, and the eight barges on display here tell the story of a time when the river was the main highway, and kings, queens and dignitaries traveled this highway in grand style.
At one time, thousands of barges existed for the use of the royal family and their embassy. When the Burmese attacked Ayutthaya, these barges were destroyed.The full explanation can be found at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/bangkok-floodwaters-reach-new-high-2377040.html King Rama I, responsible for moving the capital of Thailand to Bangkok in the 1700′s, ordered replacements to be made in the image of the burned barges for use in royal ceremonies. One ceremony worth noting was the katin, in which the royal embassy would travel downriver by barge to bring new robes to the monks at Wat Arun.
Today, only about fifty barges remain. The eight that are displayed at the Royal Barge Museum are some of the most beautiful and intricately carved. The museum also includes displays of flags, oars and other objects used in barge processions. The Royal Barges Museum is situated directly across from the Grand Palace.