Thai Royal Barge Procession

Appleich · Jul 6, 2019

This thread is for discussions regarding royal barge procession ceremony, Thailand's ancient ceremony dated back to Ayutthaya Kingdom in the 14th century.

Appleich · Jul 6, 2019

Ceremony as described by Wikipedia:

Thailand's Royal Barge Procession (Thai: กระบวนพยุหยาตราชลมารค; RTGS: krabuan phayuha yatra chonla mak) is a ceremony of both religious and royal significance which has taken place for nearly 700 years. The royal barges are a blend of craftsmanship and traditional Thai art. The Royal Barge Procession takes place rarely, marking only the most significant cultural and religious events. During the long reign of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, spanning over 70 years, the procession has only occurred 16 times.

The Royal Barge Procession, in the present, consists of 52 barges: 51 historical barges, and the Royal Barge, the Narai Song Suban, which King Rama IX built in 1994. It is the only barge built during King Bhumibol's reign. These barges are manned by 2,082 oarsmen. The procession proceeds down the Chao Phraya River, from the Wasukri Royal Landing Place in Khet Dusit, Bangkok, passes the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the Grand Palace, Wat Po (Thai: วัดโพธิ์), and finally arrives at Wat Arun (Thai: วัดอรุณ, 'Temple of the Dawn').

More details: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Barge_Procession

Appleich · Jul 6, 2019

The latest ceremony was held on November 9, 2012 as part of Royal Kathin Ceremony and to mark King Bhumibol's 7th cycle (84 years old) in 2011 (postponed until 2012 due to Thailand's great floods) which was presided over by, then, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn on behalf of the King:

Rehearsal

Actual ceremony

While the latest ceremony which was presided over by the monarch was held on November 7, 1996 as part of King Bhumibol's Golden Jubilee Cerebration: