Sirimahannop (Bangkok)

Sirimahannop is a replica - a full-scale modern copy - of an old Thai ship called Thoon Kramom, which was built in 1864. 

 

The history of Thoon Kramom is closely connected with the life and career of the Danish entrepreneur H. N. Andersen (1852-1937) who came to Thailand for the first time in 1873. 

 

He did not stay long, but three years later (1876) he returned, and this time he stayed for several years.

 

H. N. Andersen had big dreams, big plans: he wanted to transport teak wood to Europe and sell it there. He had access to teak wood in Thailand, but he had a serious problem: he did not have any ships to transport the products he wanted to sell.

Fortunately, he had a friend who had connections with the royal family. When the king of Thailand heard about his plans, he declared that H. N. Andersen deserved to have a chance to show what he could do.

The king told him that he could borrow the royal ship Thoon Kramom, but he must promise to take good care of it.

In 1884, H. N. Andersen loaded the ship with teak wood and sailed to England where he sold his cargo. In England he loaded the ship with coal. Then he returned to Thailand where he sold his cargo. 

 

Each time he made a profit: on the voyage out and on the voyage back. This was the beginning of a long and successful career as a businessman who operated on a global scale.

In 1885, H. N. Andersen was engaged to Anna Marie Benedictsen, who was the daughter of a Danish sea captain. In 1886, they were married.

The couple had four children who were all born in Bangkok:

 

** Carl Jacob Andersen (1889-1890)

** Astrid Elisabeth Andersen (1890-1976)

** Sigurd Andersen (1894-1961)

** Kay Iver Andersen (1895-1933)

 

In 1896, H. N. Andersen and his family moved to Denmark. 

 

In 1897, he established the East Asiatic Company which allowed him to continue the trade connection between Thailand and Denmark.

 

The old ship Thoon Kramom does not exist anymore. But a few years ago a replica was built. It is a modern full-scale copy. The replica was given the name Sirimahannop which means the Auspiciousness of the Vast Ocean.

 

The new ship does not sail. It is permanently moored at the bank of the river that runs through Bangkok. The location is the pier next to the night market Asiatique. The ship is used as a restaurant.

 

Placed on the pier, this poster offers information about the ships:

** Thoon Kramom = the old ship

** Sirimahannop = the modern copy

 

 

The front of the ship (the bow) seen from the pier

 

 

The rear end of the ship (the stern)

The name is written in Thai and with Latin letters

 

 

This statue of H. N. Andersen is placed in the middle of the upper deck. He was the captain of Thoon Kramom in 1884 when the ship made the first voyage to Europe. This was the beginning of the trade connection between Thailand and Europe.

 

 

The view from the stern 

(the rear end of the ship) 

(the low level)

The view from the stern 

(the rear end of the ship) 

(the high platform)

 

 

Looking forward from the stern

 

This is the bridge. 

These days the bridge is used a separate dining room

The table can seat a party of eight persons

 

Looking towards the bow (the front of the ship)

 

Looking up at the blue sky

Looking up at the tall mast

 

 

This is the bow (the front of the ship)

 

 

Looking back from the bow

 

This poster explains the name of the ship:

Sirimahannop = The Auspiciousness of the Great Waters

 

 

Below deck there is a large open space. 

In the old days, this area was used for the cargo. 

These days, it is a large dining room.

 

 

The walls of the lower deck are decorated with old photographs in black-and-white, which illustrate the history of the old ship and the beginning of the trade connection between Thailand and Europe.

The menu of the restaurant is divided into three sections:

** The first section is a memory of the place where the ship began the voyage = 

Thai food

** The second section is a memory of the long voyage across the oceans = 

seafood

** The third section is a memory of the place which was the destination of the ship = 

European food

 

When is the restaurant open? 

When can you visit this ship?

** Monday to Friday = from 16.00 to 24.00

** Saturday and Sunday = from 12.00 to 24.00

PS. This report about Sirimahannop (a replica of Thoon Kramom) is based on a visit in February 2023

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