Since ancient times, there has been a close association between the animal world and Indian gods and goddesses. From the Vedic age to modern times, whenever humans have tried to describe and explain the various forms of gods and goddesses, they have always associated a vahana, or mount/vehicle with their icon.  

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Garuda has two widespread wings and adorns the chariot of none other than the unconquerable Hindu god Vishnu, the preserver. Garuda is omnipresent, his strength and knowledge are unfathomable, and thus Garuda plays an important educative role in many lives. Throughout Thailand, Garuda appears in many forms and serves many purposes. Garuda is also highly respected and revered in many other Asian countries. 

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Garuda in Thailand 

In ancient Vedic and Pali literature, Garuda has been described as an extremely intelligent, fierce and faithful being, symbolising strength and dedication. Garuda, son of the sage Kashyapa, is also kind-hearted, striving to save his mother and his family from all pain, humiliation and captivity, thus giving them a taste of freedom. He is the protector of the amrita, the elixir of immortality.  

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In Thailand, he is red with a golden face, two huge wings, and strong feet. In the Thai language, Garuda is known as phra khrut pha. King Rama VI adopted Garuda as the national emblem in 1911. Though much before that in the 16th century, Garuda was used as a royal symbol, for example in seals, in Siam. Today, it is not just a royal symbol but is found on the government’s official papers, passports and documents used in schools and universities. This half-human, half-avian creature is worshipped, discussed, researched upon, and finds a place of importance in everything across Thailand. 

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One can get a vivid description of Garuda in the 14th-century Thai volume Trai Phum Phra Ruang which bears a great resemblance to the one described in India’s Garuda Purana. According to the description, Garuda has a body that is 150 yojanas in width (one yojana equals about 16 km), the span of his wings is another 150 yojanas, his tail is 60 yojanas long, his neck is 30 yojanas, his back 90 yojanas and his talons are 12 yojanas each. This reflects the strength of Garuda as described in the Buddhist text and is not just a figment of imagination, but is corroborated by Indian accounts. Thai Buddhists believe this immensely strong yet wise Garuda to be a protector of the legendary Himmaphan forest and that every step taken by Garuda reflects wisdom and knowledge. 

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Thailand considers its kings to be an incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu. If a country regards its king as Vishnu, then Vishnu’s vahana, Garuda, automatically gets important and turns into a national symbol as well. Between 1350 and 1769, Gardua seals were used in Ayutthaya; those who carried documents with the sign of Garuda or had Garuda seals were considered to have powers equivalent to the king. 

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In Thailand, Garuda is also present in the Royal Barge Processions. The magnificent ceremonial vessels are used for royal and religious purposes and brought out in public view on such special occasions. The first mention of these gorgeous barges is found in the 13th-century Sukhothai period. Later, during the Ayutthaya period, this tradition gained importance. Today, around 51 such exquisitely carved barges are in use, out of which eight are on display at the National Museum of Royal Barges in Bangkok. During the reign of King Rama IX (r. 1946-2016) around 16 such royal processions took place and, in 1994, a new royal barge, the Narai Song Suban Ratchakan Thi Koa

was built by the Royal Thai Navy and the Thai Department of Fine Arts. It was launched in 1996, in celebration of King Rama IX's 50th anniversary of his accession to the throne. The striking figurehead of this royal vessel needs special mention: carved in grandeur stands Garuda, with a red body and golden wings, holding a naga. On his strong shoulders rides Narai (Narayana/Vishnu), with his attributes. 

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