Thailand

Thailand's King Royal Barges, 2005

Male Thai Dancer, Rose Garden, Thailand, March 9, 2005

Thai Royal Barge of Garuda carving with canon. Krut Hern Het, Royal Barge Museum, Thailand, March 9, 2005. The Krut, or garuda, steed of Vishnu, is the figurehead. The garuda is depicted in flight, with protruding eyes and bared fangs. Its arms and legs are spread, with feathers fluttering in the wind, and it holds a naga in each hand and foot. The figurehead straddles a bowchaser cannon port. Krut Hern Het was built in the reign of King Rama I and was destroyed during World War II. Its successor was launched on April 21, 1962.

Thai Royal Barge with Seven-headed Naga and canon. Royal Barge Anantanakkharat. Royal Barge Museum, Thailand, March 9, 2005. The original The Royal Barge Anantanakkharat (means. Ananta, the King of Snake) was built during the reign of Rama III (King Nangklao). It was used as the primary Royal Barge of Rama IV (King Mongkut). The current Anantanakkharat was built during the Reign of Rama VI (King Vajiravudh), and launched on April 14, 1914. The bow is carved into the 7-headed Nakkharat, the mystical snake-like creature, in gold lacquer and glass jewels.

Thai Royal Barge Asura — half-bird, half-ogre —guardian figureheads. The top half of the figurehead is fierce and exudes strength, while the bird-like bottom half is delicate in design. As with the other escort barges, the figurehead straddles a bowchaser cannon port over a floral hull.

Thai Royal Barge, Ekachai Hern How. The Ekachai-class boats not only serve as escorts, but also function as assistants to Suphannahong in case it needs a boost. The creature painted on their prow are supposed to be Heras, which are dragon-like creatures that are a cross between a Naga and crocodile