An additional set of buildings houses the Royal Funerary Chariots. These behemoths need to be in a building with very tall ceilings. Most of these chariots date to the reign of King Rama I, 1782 - 1808. The Grand Chariot of Victory is made of interlocking pieces of teak wood intricately carved into serpents and saints (nagas and devas). The grand Chariot weighed 20 tons and to move it 160 men were required at the front to pull it. 135 additional men were requited to act as the brakes at the back of the chariot. There was a place at the top of the chariot for the King's remains would reside. Huge mechanisms were built, in matching style, to lift the remains up to the top. At 235 years old the Grand Chariot of Victory is a true treasure.
One of four giant chariots in the hanger
A carved casket and urn holder
The ramp for loading the chariot
In the shape of a boat
Slightly smaller chariots are also used for other members of the royal family
Certainly a magnificent artifact
#3 of 4 big chariots
A hand carved casket and urn holder
A nautical theme
Wow
Getting loser, the details can really be seen
20 feet tall at least
A master work
As we headed out there were some more nautically themed displays
A royal barge
Now I see why they needed taller ceilings
The King's shovel. It dug the first bit of dirt for the creation of the railroad
Thailand's standard of weight that was calibrated against the metric system in France
More master carving
Buddha
A very detailed and gruesome scene from the Ramayana Epic
The horses seem to be the only survivors
Huge item
Graceful pose
Gleaming in the sun as we leave
More like it lighthouse wise
A side canal with a nice bridge
A mini lighthouse
Bronze!
Passing Wat Arun on our way downriver
