Anekachat Bhujong Royal Barge

Anekachat Bhujong Royal Barge was built during the reign of King Rama V. It is classified as a secondary royal barge and was used for informal royal journeys. It was later included in the Royal Barge Procession. It is the only royal barge built during the reign of King Rama V.

The distinctive feature of this royal barge is its slender, raised bow. Its name consists of two words: “Anek,” meaning many, and “Chat Bhujong,” meaning naga. This reflects the bow’s design, which features many small naga figures.

The bow is lacquered and gilded, with a design depicting a mythical naga with seven human faces. It is decorated mainly with green glass, without colored enamel, similar to the decorative art found on the gables of various Buddhist temple ordination halls.

The royal barge measures 45.67 meters in length, 2.91 meters in width, and 0.91 meters in depth. It requires a total crew of 82 personnel, comprising 75 crew members, including two shipmasters, two helmsmen, 61 oarsmen, one stern flag bearer, one signalman, one rhythm caller, and seven umbrella bearers, as well as seven officials from the Bureau of the Royal Household. 

When His Majesty the King travels in a major Royal Barge Procession, he usually wears the full royal regalia and a Great Crown or the Maha Kathin Crown, along with a tall ceremonial hat.

The barge used for changing out of these royal garments is called the Royal Pavilion Barge. It docks first, followed by the royal barge carrying the  King, which docks alongside it on the outer side. After arriving at the pavilion, the King removes the Great Crown or the Maha Kathin Crown before proceeding ashore. 

Similarly, on the return journey, the King first boards the Royal Pavilion Barge to put on the Great Crown or the Maha Kathin Crown before returning to the royal barge.

Credit: พระลาน / NBT World