CULTURE & TRADITION

The Royal Barge Supunnahong ("the Golden Swan" or the "Phoenix") was built in 1911 during the reign of Rama VI with a bow resembling a mythical swan, or hong, adorned with gold lacquer and glass jewels, with a crystalline ball and tassle dangling from her mouth. This 46-meter craft was carved from a single trunk of teakwood. There is a golden pavilion on board to house the king and his immediate royal family.

Supunnahong is one of four royal barges in the Royal Barge Procession, a ceremony of both religious and royal significance which has been taking place for nearly 700 years.