History of the Royal Barges - a Timeless Tradition
The history of the royal barges dates back to the Sukhothai era in the 13th century when the first royal barges were reportedly seen. The barges were originally troop carriers at a time when it was more expedient to transport troops into battle along rivers.
As life in Thailand then was so intimately linked to the river, these barges were also used for religious and ceremonial purposes.
During the Ayutthaya era between the 14th - 18th centuries, the Royal Barge Ceremonies flourished, particularly during the reigns of King Naresuan and King Narai.
King Naresuan (1590 ? 1605 AD) named his personal barge Suphannahongsa and so started the first generation of this famous royal barge. Since then this has been the name of the King's personal barge. Two more versions have been built since.
In the reign of King Narai, the Royal Barge Processions became more elaborate and one such procession had more than 100 vessels.
Unfortunately all this came to an abrupt end in 1767 when the Burmese sacked Ayutthaya and destroyed all the barges. It was a sad period in the history of the royal barges.
The Thonburi era (1767 ? 1782) under King Taksin saw a reemergence of royal barge activity. During his reign the Emerald Buddha was brought from Vientiane to Ayutthaya. A hundred and fifteen barges went to Ayutthaya to receive this holy statue and bring it back to Bangkok. Another 131 vessels went up river to welcome the Emerald Buddha.
The Bangkok era, which commenced in 1782, saw a new dawn in the history of the royal barges. King Rama I revived the tradition of the royal barges. Sixty were built and modeled on designs in the early Bangkok era. A new Suphannahongsa was built to serve as the King's personal barge.
Royal barge construction continued under the reign of the Chari kings. King Rama IV ordered the construction of the Anantanakkharat with the seven-headed serpent Naga on the bow.
During the reign of King Rama V, a new Suphannahongsa was built. It was completed during the reign of King Rama VI in 1911. This version of Suphannahongsa is being used to this day as the King's personal barge.
The coup in 1932, when Thailand changed from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy, brought about another abrupt halt to royal barge activity. Subsequent governments ceased the Royal Barge Ceremonies for the next 25 years.
The royal barges suffered a further setback when they were damaged by Japanese bombs during World War II. Damaged sections of these barges are still preserved at the Royal Barge Museum.
In 1957 the history of the royal barges took a turn for the better when King Rama IX had the barges restored to their former glory.
On 19 May 1957, the first Royal Barge Procession in 25 years sailed down the Chao Phraya River to commemorate the 25th century of the Buddhist Era. Since then, the tradition and grandeur of the royal barges have continued to this day.
The history of the royal barges reflects an enduring tradition that flows on timelessly like the Chao Phraya River.
For details on the royal barges, please see Types of Royal Barges.
This article by Eric Lim first appeared in Tour Bangkok Legacies, a historical travel site on people, places and events that shaped the landscape of Bangkok. Lim, a free-lance writer, lives in Bangkok, Thailand.
 Google News Updated : Wed, 09 Jul 2008 01:08:02 GMT Fed may extend Wall Street lending - Reuters
Reuters - By Patrick Rucker ARLINGTON, Virginia (Reuters) - Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said on Tuesday the US central bank may keep an emergency lending facility for big Wall Street firms open longer than it initially intended, a signal the Fed is ... Bernanke says Fed may extend bank discount rate Bernanke Says Fed May Continue Lending Into Next Year (Update3) Publ.Date : Tue, 08 Jul 2008 22:34:02 GMT War Powers Act needs fixing, bipartisan panel says - CNN
CNN - WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The United States needs a new law requiring that the president consult with Congress before going to war, a blue-ribbon panel led by two former secretaries of state said Tuesday. Video: Panel Calls for New War Powers Legislation 'War Powers' Plan Faces Steep Odds Publ.Date : Tue, 08 Jul 2008 19:10:08 GMT Church divided: Women bishops an obstacle to unity, Vatican warns - guardian.co.uk
guardian.co.uk - The Vatican yesterday criticised the Church of England's decision to press ahead with the ordination of women bishops, saying it presented a "further obstacle" for reconciliation between Canterbury and Rome. Vatican 'regrets' female bishops Vatican angry over women bishops Publ.Date : Tue, 08 Jul 2008 23:02:59 GMT InBev seeks summary judgment in court - Reuters
Reuters - PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - InBev NV (INTB.BR: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) on Tuesday asked a court to make a summary judgment on its lawsuit over the possible removal of all 13 directors of Anheuser-Busch Cos Inc's (BUD. Anheuser-Busch sues InBev Busch sues InBev over takeover attempt Publ.Date : Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:34:28 GMT Bush pushes US-India nuclear deal - The Associated Press
The Associated Press - TOYAKO, Japan (AP) - President Bush defended a languishing deal his administration negotiated to sell India nuclear fuel and technology, saying he reassured India's prime minister that the pact was important for both countries despite heavy opposition ... India Singh to Seek Vote Before IAEA Approval on Nuclear Accord UPDATE 1-India says relations with US in good shape Publ.Date : Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:20:36 GMT Alcoa beats the Street - CNNMoney.com
CNNMoney.com - The aluminum producer and Dow component kicks off the latest round of earnings reports by saying that higher volume and prices offset rising commodity costs. UPDATE 3-Alcoa's profit lower but tops Street forecasts Alcoa's Second-Quarter Net Fell 24% Publ.Date : Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:18:45 GMT Cipro joins the 'black box' club - Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times - The club may not be as elite as it once was -- or perhaps, in an ideal world, should be -- but the Food and Drug Administration has decided Cipro and its ilk deserve to be members. UPDATE 3-Antibiotics can harm tendons, US FDA warns FDA orders 'black box' label on some antibiotics Publ.Date : Tue, 08 Jul 2008 23:12:01 GMT Make Money From Home |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... Some scientists argue over creation and evolution and they argue... Read More CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS: - It seems a mystery to most academics... Read More I have no idea how old I was when I... Read More MEGALITHIIC POWER PLANTS:Druidic University:Long before there was a Rome or... Read More Towards the end of Million Dollar Baby the character Scraps,... Read More The mysterious and the mystical have always had the power... Read More A mirror, when becoming a feng shui mirror, can be... Read More No words in this universe are enough to describe him,... Read More The true meaning of Saturn is that he is the... Read More If we think about it at this juncture, clearly there... Read More Watch any of the major movie, television, and music award... Read More Drawing a face isn't as hard as it looks. To... Read More How necessary is cleaning your Civil War Uniform?The every day... Read More Expatriate wannebees often ask us how we managed our expatriation... Read More Feng shui handles five main elements in order to achieve... Read More The North South Hemisphere Question:The question of whether or not... Read More The ancient peoples of Europe were more fond of masks... Read More Juba II in America:Ahmed Osman tells us about the destruction... Read More 1. Can you briefly summarize why you think history is... Read More For those who don't know, Merton Abbey Mills is an... Read More "Babe" Didrickson Zaharias was a phenomenal athlete. This Texan ran,... Read More Let's trace the number of Chinese characters from Han Dynasty... Read More The cow is a mother to mankind whom we should... Read More Human beings have always been curious to know their future.... Read More It is safe to say that in the... Read More
Adsense
websites
When Does Man Become God?
Christopher Columbus
The Saga of Puffed Wheat Anderson, A Minnesota Legend
Druidic University
Shadows Boxing
Celtic Jewelry: Ancient Symbolism in Popular Fashion
Learn How to Solve Problems With a Feng Shui Mirror
At 60 plus Amitabh Bachchan Rules! - A Vastu Study
Saturn: Your Challenge to Become An Expert
Human Cultural Evolution
Hip-hop Jewelry and Todays Stars
Learn How To Draw Faces Realistically
How to Clean Your Civil War Uniform
Mexican Living: So You Want To Expatriate?
The Five Feng Shui Elements and Their Characteristics
Feng Shui North versus South Hemisphere
Masking European Animism
Timbuktu and Brotherhood Too
An Interview on History and Educational Media
Merton Abbey Mills Developments
The Automatic Champion
How Many Chinese Characters Are There?
Cosmic Cow
Astrology : A Science or Superstition?
Sixties: The Decade of Rebellion
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Rasputin
GRIGORY EFIMOVICH NOVYKH (RASPUTIN):'Hail, Hail, Ras-putin'. This man's story has... Read More
Druidic University
MEGALITHIIC POWER PLANTS:Druidic University:Long before there was a Rome or... Read More
Astrologers Just Plain Stupid?
We live at an interesting time of scientific knowledge. Scientists... Read More
Egyptian Handmade Perfume Bottles
Blown glass, a very ancient technique, is the oldest among... Read More
Opal Jewelry -- Your Own Personal Piece of Rainbow
Opal is a magnificent gemstone whose shades encompass virtually every... Read More
How To Get Rich and Die Quick!
It is funny how web site promotion can suddently plunge... Read More
Amaterasu The Goddess of the Sun
Amaterasu is a shining example of how adversity can help... Read More
Heraldry in the Crafts--Why Not Specialize?
I have a small website where I try to sell... Read More
African Masks The Art of Creation
With western eyes we tend to view a tribal mask... Read More
Gymnastics History ? A Brief Overview
Gymnastics, as an activity, has been around for more than... Read More
The Western Cowboy
In the State of Texas the Western Cowboy can be... Read More
How to Create a Multi-Artistic Piece (Article 1 of 2)
In the late 19th century the music world was graced... Read More
Mexican Living: Myth Busting
Myth One: Mexicans are lazy, good-for-nothings.I mention this one first... Read More
Shadows Boxing
Towards the end of Million Dollar Baby the character Scraps,... Read More
Precious Stones -The Big Five: Part 1, The Emerald
The emerald is probably the most rare of all precious... Read More
Smart Art Investments - Buy What You Love!
Collecting art can be one of the most enjoyable ways... Read More
Sir Francis Drake
FRANCIS DRAKE: - It is my perspective that history has... Read More
Precious Stones The Big Five - Part 4 The Diamond
The diamond is generally regarded as the premier gem in... Read More
Native American Art Thunderbird
The thunderbird has been one of the most dominant icons... Read More
Yes Tarot Readings Are For You!
Have you ever thought?What is the best way out of... Read More
King Tuts Tomb was No Better - Found in America
Between 603 and 702 AD. a truly marvelous temple was... Read More
Propaganda and American Journalism, Born Joined at Birth
Passion was the main stuff of journalism long before the... Read More
The Power of Words
I freely confess that I have had a life-long love... Read More
The Sixties
A decade that stands out above the rest of our... Read More
Is America Still Racist?
This is one entry in my Heroes and Villains Volume... Read More
Humanities |