Royal Barge Thailand

[shipstamps]

One of the most interesting stamps comes from Thailand, where a stamp was issued, value 2 baht, in September 1967, publicising International Tourist Year. The Royal Barge is the tourist attraction depicted. It is probably the largest dug-out in the world, with a length of more than 150 ft., width about 11ft., cut out of a single Maiyang tree, almost as hard as the more celebrated Burmese teak.
This barge is more than 100 years old. It is manned by 70 richly-apparelled paddlers, their uniforms being the crimson dress of the warriors of ancient Thailand. These paddlers are drilled like soldiers, handling their paddles in perfect time and raising them high in the air at each stroke. They are seated in pairs, fore and aft, with the centre part of the barge reserved for the Royal throne, under a built-up dais. As can be clearly seen in the stamp reproduction. The Thai Royal State Barge is most elaborately carved, as befits its occupant. The figurehead is evidently one of the "Royal beasts" of Thailand.
The four-tiered "wedding cake" type of decoration symbolises the status of the owner— the more tiers, the greater the person. The craft carries eight posts of four tiers each-32 in all. The same symbolism is seen on palaces in Siam, or Thailand.
Sea Breezes 5/68
Thailand SG582, 1298