The museum was once a dry dock for boats and warships under the patronage of the royal family and the Royal Thai Navy. The boats and barges were severely damaged during World War II, but in 1949 they were restored by the Department of Fine Arts as part of the Thai cultural heritage. Repair work was completed and the pier became the Royal National Museum in 1972. In this museum you can discover eight of the country's most unique and awe-inspiring ships, each carved out of huge pieces of teak, carved with mythical creatures, gilded in gold and intricately decorated with tiny shimmering pieces of glass.