Bangkok: "Unveiling the behind-the-scenes restoration of royal barges: This reveals the high level of Thai craftsmanship involved in maintaining the royal barges, ensuring they remain majestic and dignified, ready to perform their duties in important royal ceremonies, and preserving them as a cultural heritage for the Thai people to be proud of.
According to Thai News Agency, the restoration of royal barges is not merely about repairing the vessels, but about preserving art, culture, and the continuation of Thai craftsmanship accumulated over hundreds of years. Through the skills of master craftsmen and artists, they work together to maintain this national heritage, ensuring the barges remain beautiful and ready for important royal ceremonies.
Royal barges are considered one of Thailand's most valuable cultural legacies, reflecting royal traditions, artistry, and craftsmanship passed down since the Ayutthaya period. Every time a royal barge appears in a water procession, the public admires not only the exquisite beauty of each vessel, but also the meticulous work of Thai artisans who have preserved this high art form for future generations.
The restoration of the royal barges is a collaboration between the Royal Thai Navy Dockyard and the Fine Arts Department, with clearly defined responsibilities based on their expertise. The Royal Thai Navy Dockyard is responsible for inspecting and repairing the ship's structure, including replacing damaged wood, caulking to prevent leaks, and applying resin to extend the lifespan of the wood-all traditional techniques passed down through generations of Thai boat builders.
Once the structure is fully structurally sound, the boat is transferred to the Fine Arts Department's Royal Craftsmen's Office for artistic restoration. This includes lacquering, gilding, painting traditional Thai patterns, decorating with stained glass, repairing carvings, and restoring the figureheads of mythical creatures and animals from Thai literature. Every step requires meticulous attention to detail and adheres to traditional methods to preserve the artistic and historical value as close to its original condition as possible.
The restoration of the royal barges also perpetuates the knowledge of the "Ten Craftsmen," a high art form in Thailand encompassing painting, gilding, glassmaking, carving, and traditional woodworking, performed by experienced master craftsmen.
Even with modern technology to inspect the structural condition and safety of the royal barges, the core of restoration remains the craftsmanship of hand-painted techniques in almost every step. From lacquering and gilding to meticulously decorating with glass, this requires experience, skill, and a deep understanding of Thai artistry. This ensures that each royal barge remains majestic, dignified, and ready to perform its duties in important royal ceremonies, preserving its artistic and cultural heritage for future generations to be proud of. The barges continue to showcase their beauty and elegance on the Chao Phraya River, reflecting Thailand's national identity to the world.