Royal barges are very rarely seen in procession on the River Chao Phraya nowadays. In order to relive these important ceremonies, take time to visit the Royal Barge Museum, a huge boat shed housing a collection of historical photos and splendid barges with richly decorated prows. The jewel of the museum, the Suphannahong royal barge, bears a swan’s head on its prow. This bird symbolises Hamsa, the mount of Brahma, the creator god of Hinduism.