A sixth-cycle celebration

one of Thailand’s grandest spectacles, the Royal Barge Procession, will be held on Thursday, November 4, to celebrate the occasion of His Majesty the King’s sixth cycle, or 72nd birthday.

It was last held in 1996 to mark the Golden Jubilee of His Majesty the King’s accession to the throne. The procession traditionally takes place at end of the annual Buddhist Rains Retreat, or ok pansa, which is marked by the presentation of kathin robes to monks. On the annual royal calendar the presentation begins on the first day after the Rains Retreat, or wan ok pansa , when His Majesty the King personally presents robes to monks at Wat Bowon Niwet and Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram (Wat Bho).

On subsequent days, His Majesty is usually represented by Her Majesty the Queen, HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, HRH Princess Chulabhorn and other members of the Royal Family at the other 14 royal temples. This year, His Majesty the King will graciously preside at the Royal Barge Procession to present kathin robes to monks at Wat Arun Ratchawararam (Temple of the Dawn), located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River across from the Grand Palace. The royal procession will follow the same format as the 1996 ceremony and will comprise 52 barges.

The only difference being His Majesty the King will ride on the majestic Subanahongsa (Golden Swan). Last time he was carried by the only new barge to be built during his reign. The barges will form up in five columns abreast, 90 metres across, in what is called the major battle formation, and will stretch along the river for 1,110 metres. There will be 40 metres between each barge, except for the Royal Barge Subanahongsa, which will be 80 metres from the rest of the flotilla.

A total of 2,082 crew from the Royal Thai Navy will man the barges. His Majesty is due to arrive at Tha Wasukri at 3.30 pm., where he will be given a 10-minute briefing by navy officials. The procession will then leave Tha Wasukri for Wat Arun Ratchawararam pier, a trip that takes approximately one hour. The procession is a visual feast, with the beautifully carved barges of mythical animal figureheads. The oarsmen row in synchronised movement like a swan spreading her wings, with the chant of the boat song reverberating across the water. At Wat Arun Ratchawararam, His Majesty the King will preside at the Royal Kathin Ceremony, which takes approximately one hour. His Majesty will then board the Royal Barge Subanahongsa to cross the river from the temple to Tha Ratchaworadit, next to the Grand Palace, and travel back to Chitrlada Palace by car. The entire stretch of the Chao Phraya River will be closed to water traffic from 1 pm.