In the past, Thailand was an agricultural society with settled communities growing up beside the waterways. The river was the most important avenue of communication, and boats were the standard form of transport for everyone. The Royal barges were used only by the King and the Royal family when they travelled.

The ceremony of Royal travel by water has been a tradition since the Ayutthaya period. The formation of the Royal barge procession was in accordance with the form laid down in the Strategy Textbook. The boathouse where the Royal barges were kept was under the control of the Bureau of the Royal Household and the Royal Thai Navy. In 1947, it was transferred to the Department of Fine Arts for the repair and restoration of all the barges, which were registered as a national heritage.

The boathouse then became The National Museum of Royal Barges, and since 1974 it has exhibited the Royal Barges as well as artifacts and accessories: used in the ceremony. Suphannahong Royal Barge: The prow of the barge was sculpted in a mythological swan figure„ and the vessel was completed in the reign of King, Rama VI.

This is the highest class of Royal barge, and it was awarded the Sea Heritage Medal from the World Ships Organisation of Great Britain in 1981., Anantanagaraj Royal Barge: The prow of this barge is carved in the form of a seven-head naga. It is used to carry the Buddha image or Phra Krathin, the monks' robes offered during the festival.

Anekchartputchong Royal Barge: This was built in the reign of King Rama V, and is the one Royal barge to be coloured pink. Among the exhibits in the museum are the Kanya Throne, Budsaba Throne, and many kinds of, oars and paddles. Due to lack of space, only eight of the Royal barges can be seen there. The other five are kept at Wasukree Pier and at the Royal Thai Navy Transport Department.