Royal Barges Museum

Royal Barges Museum. Khlong Bangkok Noi, near Thonburi side, not far from Phra Pin Klao Bridge Open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Admission Bt30 adults, children free (Photography charge Bt100 for ordinary camera, Bt200 for video) Uniquely Thai, it houses old royal barges hand-carved from huge pieces of teak with prows carved into mythical creatures, gilded in gold and intricately decorated with tiny shimmering pieces of glass. Used for ceremonial and state occasions and rowed by up to 50 specially trained oarsmen, the boats leave their dry dock annually at festival times, for a procession along the Chao Phraya River.