The Royal Barge Suphannahong Replica

The Kingdom of Thailand is honoured to present to the CICA Secretariat this replica of the Royal Barge Suphannahong, the “Golden Swan” or “Phoenix”, an iconic masterpiece of Thai royal culture, maritime heritage, and artistic craftsmanship. The barge has long been regarded as one of the most important and venerated royal barges of Thailand, traditionally used by the Thai Monarch in grand water processions on the Chao Phraya River on momentous state and ceremonial occasions.

References to the Royal Barge Suphannahong can be traced as far back as the early Ayutthaya period. Historical chronicles record that a vessel of this name was already used in royal river processions during the reign of King Maha Chakkraphat in the mid-16th century. The present Royal Barge Suphannahong was built anew in 1911 under the reign of His Majesty King Vajiravudh (Rama VI), drawing lineage from earlier royal barges bearing similar names across successive reigns, including those built in the time of King Rama I and King Rama III of the Bangkok/early Rattanakosin period.

The bow of Suphannahong is carved in the form of the mythical golden swan (hamsa), gilded with lacquer and mirrored glass ornamentation, with a crystalline globe in its beak and tassels made of yak wool sourced from Nepal. The hull of the barge measures approximately 46 metres in length and more than 3 metres across the beam, painted black on the exterior and red inside. A royal pavilion, ratcha-banlang-kanya, stands at the centre of the barge to house the Monarch. The barge is manned by fifty oarsmen, with steersmen, standard bearers, Royal emblem bearers and a chanter who leads the rhythmic rowing chants in unison, an unforgettable sight, sound and cultural experience.

Due to its unique craftsmanship and cultural significance, the Royal Barge Suphannahong was recognised in 1992 by the World Ship Trust, which presented to Thailand the World Ship Trust Maritime Heritage Award, honouring the vessel as a World Heritage Ship. Today, the Suphannahong remains a timeless symbol of Thailand’s artistic refinement, Royal ceremony, national identity, and living heritage.

This Royal Barge Suphannahong replica is presented to the CICA Secretariat as a gesture of genuine friendship, goodwill and respect. May this symbolic vessel, rooted in centuries of Thai history, represent a shared aspiration of all CICA Member States to continue moving forward together with dignity, trust and unity, and navigating on the global stage toward peace, stability and prosperity of the region and the world at large.