Somdet Phra Chao Tak Sin road in 2011, Thon buri, Bangkok, Thailand.
Thonburi side of the River
I had a bit of a dilemma with the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. The main attractions that people visit on this side, in my view only, are centred around five districts. So I decided to consolidate them into the Thonburi side of the river and join the four districts together, with regards to the places of interest here. I have listed them as I visited them myself as follows:~
Bangkok Noi. National Museum of Royal Barges, Bangkok Noi Railway Station or Thonburi Railway station.
Bangkok Yai. Wat Arun.
Chom Thong District. Wat Sai Floating Market 11 Moo 2, Ekkachai rd.
Khlong San. Maeklong railway and Wong Wian Yai railway station, Taksin Monument.
Taling Chan. Taling Chan Floating Market, Khlong Chak Phra the canal that encircles these Districts.
The Royal Barges National Museum
The day I visited the Royal Barges museum in Thonburi I travelled from Thonburi railway station. I was going to walk, but was told it was a long walk in very hot and humid weather. I took a motorcycle taxi which became a nightmare when I entered the narrow lanes leading to the museum. A small canal twisted and turned with the path. At first I thought this cannot be the way into this museum. However it was. It was ok until we reached a point where we had a severe right hand bend to negotiate. Being high up on the pillion seat and staring at a sudden drop to each side of the motorbike, I felt very uneasy. I envisaged me / my camera / my video camera and everything else disappearing into the small canal. I would not recommend this trip by a non biker. It is very scary. On reaching the museum a notice informed me I had to pay to enter and pay to take photos and pay to take videos. In total 200 Baht for all. The museum is really off the beaten track and not very easy to find.
It is located on a canal near the Chao Phraya river, not far from Phra Pin Klao bridge. It is also opposite the Thonburi railway station, so should be easy to find but it’s not. Most of the tourists go by boat with the conducted tour or by special escorted tour. However, it is possible to go by car, and park the car under the Arun Amarin Bridge before crossing Klong Bangkok Noi. Then follow the sign, walking through a narrow lane of the housing community of Wat Dusita Ram until you reach the Royal Barges National Museum. This museum, under the care of the Royal Thai Navy, houses the famous Royal Barges. Although these are the last remaining Royal Barges, many people around the world have seen the stately processions on the Chao Phraya River in celebration of His Majesty the King's birthdays and accession to the throne. These barges date from the reign of King Rama 1, over 200 years ago, but many have been restored back to their original fine splendour.
These barges are made of high quality wood and beautifully decorated with vivid colours, mirrors and gold leaves. Each barge’s figurehead was crafted to represent a different kind of animal, representing vehicles of Rama god according to Hindu belief. Probably the most memorable barge, as it’s part of the logo of Tourism Authority of Thailand, is the figurehead of the 46 metre long Suphannahong royal barge featuring the shape of a mystical swan. It was built in 1911 during the reign of King Rama VI and is one of the four main royal barges which are the vehicles of the king. Today, each royal barge procession consists of 52 boats, propelled by more than 2,000 rowers.
Open days Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday Opening hours 09:00 to 17:00
Somdet Phra Chao Tak Sin road in 2011, Thon buri, Bangkok, Thailand.
Thonburi side of the River
I had a bit of a dilemma with the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. The main attractions that people visit on this side, in my view only, are centred around five districts. So I decided to consolidate them into the Thonburi side of the river and join the four districts together, with regards to the places of interest here. I have listed them as I visited them myself as follows:~
Bangkok Noi. National Museum of Royal Barges, Bangkok Noi Railway Station or Thonburi Railway station.
Bangkok Yai. Wat Arun.
Chom Thong District. Wat Sai Floating Market 11 Moo 2, Ekkachai rd.
Khlong San. Maeklong railway and Wong Wian Yai railway station, Taksin Monument.
Taling Chan. Taling Chan Floating Market, Khlong Chak Phra the canal that encircles these Districts.
The Royal Barges National Museum
The day I visited the Royal Barges museum in Thonburi I travelled from Thonburi railway station. I was going to walk, but was told it was a long walk in very hot and humid weather. I took a motorcycle taxi which became a nightmare when I entered the narrow lanes leading to the museum. A small canal twisted and turned with the path. At first I thought this cannot be the way into this museum. However it was. It was ok until we reached a point where we had a severe right hand bend to negotiate. Being high up on the pillion seat and staring at a sudden drop to each side of the motorbike, I felt very uneasy. I envisaged me / my camera / my video camera and everything else disappearing into the small canal. I would not recommend this trip by a non biker. It is very scary. On reaching the museum a notice informed me I had to pay to enter and pay to take photos and pay to take videos. In total 200 Baht for all. The museum is really off the beaten track and not very easy to find.
It is located on a canal near the Chao Phraya river, not far from Phra Pin Klao bridge. It is also opposite the Thonburi railway station, so should be easy to find but it’s not. Most of the tourists go by boat with the conducted tour or by special escorted tour. However, it is possible to go by car, and park the car under the Arun Amarin Bridge before crossing Klong Bangkok Noi. Then follow the sign, walking through a narrow lane of the housing community of Wat Dusita Ram until you reach the Royal Barges National Museum. This museum, under the care of the Royal Thai Navy, houses the famous Royal Barges. Although these are the last remaining Royal Barges, many people around the world have seen the stately processions on the Chao Phraya River in celebration of His Majesty the King's birthdays and accession to the throne. These barges date from the reign of King Rama 1, over 200 years ago, but many have been restored back to their original fine splendour.
These barges are made of high quality wood and beautifully decorated with vivid colours, mirrors and gold leaves. Each barge’s figurehead was crafted to represent a different kind of animal, representing vehicles of Rama god according to Hindu belief. Probably the most memorable barge, as it’s part of the logo of Tourism Authority of Thailand, is the figurehead of the 46 metre long Suphannahong royal barge featuring the shape of a mystical swan. It was built in 1911 during the reign of King Rama VI and is one of the four main royal barges which are the vehicles of the king. Today, each royal barge procession consists of 52 boats, propelled by more than 2,000 rowers.
Open days Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday Opening hours 09:00 to 17:00