The Royal Barge Procession – splendor on the Chao Phraya

The Royal Barge Procession is made only on very rare and special occasions. The procession of Royal Barges is conducted during the following occasions:

When the King ascends the throne.

When the King goes down the Chao Phraya to present robes to the monks during the Royal Krathin Ceremony after the Buddhist Lent.

When the King goes to Saraburi to pay homage to the Buddha’s footprint.

When Bangkok receives important Buddha images from other cities.

When receiving foreign diplomatic missions to Bangkok.

Some of the memorable Royal Barge Processions during the reign of King Rama IX, the present King were made:

On 19 May 1957, to commemorate the 25th century of the Buddhist era.

On 06 Apr 1982, to commemorate 200 years of the Bangkok era on the Bangkok Bicentennial.

On 05 Dec 1999, to celebrate the 72nd birthday of King Rama IX.

The most recent Royal Barge Procession was on 20 Oct 2003 for the closing ceremony of the APEC Conference in Bangkok in honor of the visiting heads of state.

The procession on 20 October 2003 was special as that was the first time it took place at night amid special light and sound effects for the stretch of the river fronting the VIP’s. The guests were seated in the Royal Thai Navy Institute across the Chao Phraya River from the Grand Palace.

At 2000 hours 50 barges consisting of the Suphannahong, the Narai Song Suban King Rama IX and escort barges were launched from the Wasukri Pier upriver. This flotilla of Royal Barges, when fully deployed in a sailing formation of five columns abreast and 90 m wide, stretched 1.5 km along the Chao Phraya.

Concurrently at the Royal Thai Navy Institute, a 10-minute sight and sound presentation in six languages was made to explain the history and tradition of the Royal Barges. The presentation was timed to end as the Royal Barge Procession sailed into view on waters apparently lit with gold as a curtain of mist fell over the river creating ethereal air.

The barges were manned by 2,000 men of the Royal Thai Navy in their ancient ceremonial uniforms. They rowed steadfastly by in perfect unison honed through months of intense practice.

Their chants of the ancient boat song that dates back to the days of King Narai drifted across the river.

Just then, the night erupted as fireworks burst filling the sky with the brilliant national colors of the participating nations. The lights cascaded down illuminating the Royal Barge Procession as it streamed past the Grand Palace.

It was a splendid finish to a grand event.

The next Royal Barge Procession will be on 12 & 13 June 2006 as part of the 60th anniversary celebration of His Majesty King's ascension to the throne. Twenty-eight monarchs from around the world will be attending this event.

Have an idea of the fine blend of Thai craftsmanship and modern technology in the making of a Royal Barge.