In those times they chose exactly the size tree they needed and didn t waste any of it. They were respectful of trees, and before they cut one down they would apologise and explain why they needed it, while making a gesture of obeisance. This was because they recognised trees as living things. So every boat that is made from a tree is thought of as having life. It s just that its life has changed, from being a tree to being a boat.
Crews believe in mae yaa nang ruea, a spirit that guides the vessel.
If the boat is a large royal barge, like the one in which the King is seated, that protective presence is divine because before the boat is made from the tree many sacred ceremonies are performed. The beauty of the Subanahongsa barge comes from its ornamentation. One of the most important features is the elaborate garland that hangs from the mouth of the hongsa that forms the figurehead. It starts off with a crystal sphere, made from a ball of polished wood covered with small mirrors, something like the mirror-balls that they hang up in bars. Hanging under that is the phuang kaew, a chandelier-like cluster of mirrors cut at angles.