Thai Navy Crews Ready 52-Barge Fleet for Royal River Procession

King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida will travel by boat along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok on Friday. The royal couple will join other family members on a fleet of 52 vessels for the Royal Barge Procession. The event coincides with the annual Kathin ceremony, a Buddhist rite performed after the end of the three-month rainy season retreat. Monks who remained in their monasteries during this period receive new robes from the faithful.

The fleet is propelled by 2,200 oarsmen from the Royal Thai Navy. These rowers began their training in June at a navy dockyard. They practiced rowing in unison before moving to the river for rehearsals in late July. Two full dress rehearsals took place in late October. Spectators gathered on both banks of the river to watch the crews maneuver the barges.

The crew must maintain a precise formation consisting of five columns and three lines. In addition to physical coordination, the rowers perform traditional boat songs. These vocalizations help synchronize the oars and display Thailand's cultural heritage. The Fine Arts Department has spent months restoring the wooden barges. Workers preserved traditional artistic details while completing safety inspections and decorative updates.

Four principal royal barges stand out for their elaborate designs. One features the head of a golden mythical swan on its prow. Others display the multi-headed Naga, a mythical serpent, or the Hindu deity Narayana riding a mythical bird-like creature. The procession is reserved for special royal occasions. This year’s event falls in an auspicious year for Queen Suthida, who turned 48 in June. That age marks the start of her fourth 12-year cycle.

The last time Thailand held this procession was in 2024. That event commemorated King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s 72nd birthday. The 2024 ceremony marked his sixth 12-year cycle. The royal family will travel to the Wat Arun Ratchawararam temple for the main rituals this Friday.