Phali Rang Thawip & Sukhrip Khrong Mueang Barges

Phali Rang Thawip & Sukhrip Khrong Mueang Barges are animal-shaped barges in the  Saen Yakorn category, built during the reign of King Rama I. The figurehead of Phali Rang Thawip is carved in the shape of a crowned monkey with a green body. Its ornaments and garments are gilded and decorated with glass.

The name “Phali Rang Thawip ” comes from the story of Phali, a brave character in the Ramakien. Every morning, he crossed the continents from east to west and from north to south to pay respect to the Sun. The interior of the barge is painted red, while the exterior is painted black and decorated with cotton rose patterns.

Sukhrip Khrong Mueang has a figurehead depicting a crowned monkey with a red body. Its ornaments and garments are gilded and decorated with glass. In the Ramakien, Sukhrip is Phali’s younger brother and became king of the monkey kingdom with the support of Hanuman and Rama. 

Both barges have circular openings for installing cannons. Each barge measures 27.54 meters in length, 1.99  meters in width, and 0.59 meters in depth. Each requires a total crew of 41 personnel, consisting of one shipmasters, two helmsmen, 34 oarsmen, one stern flag bearer, one signalman, and two rhythm callers.

Credit: พระลาน / NBT World