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Phali Rang Thawip (Phali Traversing the Continent) and

Sukhrip Khrong Mueang (Sukhrip Ascending the Throne)

Phali and Sukhrip are two important characters in the story of Ramakian
which originated from the great Sanskrit epic of Ramayana.

The figurehead of Phali Rang Thawip features a carved and gilded crowned
monkey with a green body. Phali is the king of the monkey kingdom of
Khitkhin who is very brave and courageous. Before dawn he always travels
from the eastern coast to the western side and from the north to the south
to pay homage to Surya, the sun god. Hence, the name of the barge means
Phali traversing the continent.

The prow of Sukhrip Khrong Mueang is adorned with a carved and gilded
crowned monkey with a red body. Sukhrip is the younger brother and
successor of Phali in ruling Khitkhin with the assistance of Hanuman and
Rama, the hero of Ramayana.

The two barges were originally built in the reign of His Majesty King Buddha
Yodfa Chulalok The Great. The length of Phali Rang Thawip is 29.03
metres while the width at the beam is 2 metres. The depth of the hull is
63 centimetres. Sukhrip Khrong Mueang is 29.10 metres long and 1.98
metres wide. The depth of its hull is 60 centimetres.

The crew of each barge consists of one officer, two steersmen, 34 oarsmen,
one standard bearer, one signalman and two station markers.

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