Thonburi

Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya, Bangkok, Thonburi Railway Station for Kanchanaburi. ( 1 )

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• published: 10 Jul 2014
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Bangkok Noi The Royal Barges National Museum can be seen from this canal trip. It is located on the khlong near to the Chao Phraya river, not far from Phra Pin Klao bridge. It is also opposite the Thonburi railway station, so should be easy to find. Most of the tourists go by boat with the conducted tour or by special escorted tour. However, it is possible to go by car, and park the car under the Arun Amarin Bridge before crossing Klong Bangkok Noi. Then follow the sign, walking through a narrow lane of the housing community of Wat Dusita Ram until you reach the Royal Barges National Museum. This museum, under the care of the Royal Thai Navy, houses the famous Royal Barges. Although these are the last remaining Royal Barges, many people around the world have seen the stately processions on the Chao Phraya River in celebration of His Majesty the King's birthdays and accession to the throne. These barges date from the reign of King Rama 1, over 200 years ago, but many have been restored back to their original fine splendour. These barges are made of high-quality wood and beautifully decorated with vivid colours, mirrors and gold leaves. Each barge's figurehead was crafted to represent a different kind of animal, representing vehicles of Rama god according to the Hindu belief. Probably the most memorable barge, as it's part of the logo of Tourism Authority of Thailand, is the figurehead of the 46 metre long Suphannahong royal barge featuring the shape of a mystical swan. It was built in 1911 during the reign of King Rama VI and is one of the four main royal barges which are the vehicles of the king. Today, each royal barge procession consists of 52 boats, propelled by more than 2,000 rowers. Open days Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday Opening hours 09:00 to 17:00 The old Thonburi Railway Station, originally known as Bangkok Noi Railway Station, is a railway station in Bangkok. Trains leave here to the province of Kanchanaburi, and to the river Kwai Bridge. The train journey costs 100 Baht each. The train leaves at 7.50 am or 1.55 pm. It was the terminus of the Southern Line of Thailand's national rail network from 1903 to 1999. The Bangkok Noi Railway Station was opened on 19 June 1903, and served as the terminus of the Southern Line of the State Railway of Thailand's national rail network. In 1942, the station was renamed Thonburi Station. During World War II, the station became strategically important as the Japanese base of operations for supplying the construction of the Burma Railway. It was severely damaged by repeated Allied bombing in December 1944 and March 1945. The station was rebuilt in 1950 though its importance decreased toward the end of the twentieth century as more Southern Line trains were re-routed to terminate at Hua Lamphong Station. ( The Southern Line had been connected to the Northern, North Eastern and Eastern Lines with the construction of Rama VI Bridge in 1927). In 1999, to celebrate King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 72nd birthday, the station and its surrounding areas were redeveloped into a park and parking and service areas for Siriraj Hospital. A new station ( known as Bangkok Noi Station until 2003, now known as new Thonburi Station ) was built about 900 metres from the original station to replace it as the Southern terminus. Trains to the old station continued until 3 October 2003. Ownership of the station and its grounds were subsequently transferred to Siriraj Hospital to serve as the site of the Sayamindradhiraj Medical Institute. In 2013, the station building was renovated to serve as the site of Siriraj Bimuksthan Museum.