Thailand Holds Royal Barge Procession for the Queen's 48th Birthday: 52 Barges and 2,200 Navy Crew Sail the Chao Phraya to Wat Arun
BANGKOK — Thailand held a Royal Barge Procession on the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok on the afternoon of November 6, taking the King and Queen to Wat Arun for the Royal Kathin ceremony, at which robes are presented to monks at the end of Buddhist Lent. This year's procession also marked the 48th birthday anniversary of Queen Suthida.
The fleet comprised 52 royal barges rowed by about 2,200 Royal Thai Navy personnel, arranged in five columns and three rows in a formation about 1,280 metres long and 90 metres wide. It departed Wasukri Pier and travelled about 3.9 kilometres to Wat Arun, passing landmarks including the Grand Palace. Their Majesties travelled aboard the principal barge Suphannahong, while Princess Sirivannavari and Prince Dipangkorn travelled aboard another principal barge, Anekkachatphuchong; the other two principal barges are Anantanakkharat and Narai Song Suban King Rama IX.
Queen Suthida's birthday falls on June 3, and turning 48, the completion of a fourth 12-year life cycle, carries special significance in Thai tradition. The Royal Barge Procession is a centuries-old royal ceremony held only for major royal occasions; the river was closed to commercial traffic from noon on the day, and both banks were open for the public to watch free of charge.
(Source: Thailand's Government Public Relations Department)
Source: Thailand's Government Public Relations Department
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：泰国御船「苏帕纳宏」号（资料图）。Supanut Arunoprayote 摄，CC BY 4.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: The royal barge Suphannahong (file photo). By Supanut Arunoprayote, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
