Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Cross-river ferries from Tha Tien run over to Wat Arun every few minutes from 6am to
8pm (3B).
Royal Barges National Museum
MUSEUM
(Khlong Bangkok Noi or 80/1 Th Arun Amarin; admission 100B, camera/video 100/200B; 9am-5pm; Tha
Saphan Phra Pin Klao)
The royal barges are slender, fantastically ornamented vessels used in
ceremonial processions along the river. The tradition dates back to the Ayuthaya era, when
most travel (for commoners and royalty) was by boat. Today the royal barge procession is
an infrequent occurrence, most recently performed in 2012 in honour of the king's 85th
birthday. When not in use, the barges are on display at this Thonburi museum.
Suphannahong,
the king's personal barge, is the most important of the boats. Made
from a single piece of timber, it's the largest dugout in the world. The name means
'Golden Swan', and a huge swan head has been carved into the bow. Lesser barges feature
bows that are carved into other Hindu-Buddhist mythological shapes such as
naga
(myth-
ical sea serpent) and
garuda
(Vishnu's bird mount). Historic photos help envision the
grand processions in which the largest of the barges would require a rowing crew of 50
men, plus seven umbrella bearers, two helmsmen and two navigators, as well as a flag-
man, rhythm-keeper and chanter.
The most convenient way to get to the museum is by taking a motorcycle taxi (ask the
driver to go to
reu·a prá têe nâng
) from Tha Saphan Phra Pin Klao. The museum is also
an optional stop on long-tail boat trips through Thonburi's canals.
Artist's House
(
www.klongbangluang.com
;
Khlong Bang Luang; 10am-6pm)
Sort of a gallery, kind of a cof-
fee shop, more a cultural centre... It's hard to pin down this old wooden house at the edge
of Khlong Bang Luang. Food is available on weekends as well a free traditional Thai pup-
pet show scheduled for 2pm, but the best excuse to come is simply to soak up the old-
world Thai vibe.
Artist's House is most easily accessible via Soi 3, Th Charansanitwong; cross the canal
at the bridge by the 7-Eleven, turn left and it's about 100m down.
ART GALLERY
