The guests on the third floor of the Royal Navy Institute building rushed out to find spots for photography when they heard the loudspeaker announce that the boat procession for the grand rehearsal of the Royal Barge Procession was about to pass by the building, which is opposite the Grand Palace. But finding a good place wasn't easy, since all spaces'– event the rooftop – were already packed with photographers, both amateur and professional, who wanted to immortalize this special moment. And in front of the building, photographers and other spectators had formed a tight line all along the riverbank, to capture the royal barges from close up.
At 3.15 PM, the lead vessels of the Royal Barge Procession along the River Chao Praya – called the River of Kings – passed before the building. With five barges in each row of its main formation, the entire procession stretched for 1,280 meters, involving 2,082 rowers, all from the Royal Thai Navy. Of the 52 barges participating, 51 were historic royal barges, along with one new barge, the Narai Song Suban King Rama IX, first launched in 1996 for Thailand's present king, Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Foremost in the processions were the tow lead barges, Thong Ba Bin and Thong Kwan Fa, each with yang 38 oarsmen in red uniforms bearing dark blue oars. Standing at the prow of the barges were signalmen with two red flags in their hands, directing the helmsmen wearing green uniforms and gold caps at the sterns. At the middle of each boat were two officers, flanked by two escorts and two chanters extolling the king's virtues.
Next, in the middle part of the formation, were four barges for the royal family: Anantanagaraj (multiple-headed dragon), Suphannahongse (golden swan), Narai Song Suban H.M. Rama IX, and Anekchatbhuchong (innumerable dragon figures). Two Tiger-class destroyer barges guarded the port and starboard flanks of the royal barges, with eight other cannon barges surrounding the outer perimeter. Seven saeng barges served as escorts and 22 dang barges protected the front and rear ends of the procession. To complete the procession were two drum barges and three police barges.
The barge procession proceeded slowly; the rowers moved their oars
rhythmically. After each sentence of praise proclaimed by the main
chanter, the oarsmen lifted their oars in the air and shouted "Ya!"
The procession takes a four-kilometer route, from the Wasukri Royal Landing Place in the north to the Temple of Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaeo), in the south, passing by the Grand Palace and Wat Arun. It then turns around and returns to the north.
The Royal Barge Procession, whose grand rehearsal was on 29 October with the official event on 5 November this year, is a tradition to honor Thailand's king and the homeland, the monks, and honored guests. It was first held during the Ayutthaya era (1357). This year's procession was the 16th since King Bhumibol Adulyadej ascended the throne in 1946. A Royal Barge Procession was held last year as well, to commemorate the King's 60th year on the throne; this year's was to celebrate his 80th birthday, which will fall on 5 December, and also to celebrate the end of the three-month Buddhist Lent, which is marked by the presentation of new robes to monks by the royal family.
Normally, the King himself leads the procession, but since he has been in hospital since 13 October undergoing treatment for a stroke, this year's procession was led by Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, in the Royal Barge Suphannahongse. But this in no way diminished the solemnity and splendor of this centuries-old event. The unique and classic designs and structure of the long barges, the rowers' colorful uniforms, and their rhythmic rowing movements all captivated the thousands of spectators, who lined both sides of the river until the event ended at around 5.30 PM.
