Thai Navy Crews 52 Barges for Royal River Procession
A fleet of 52 vessels will carry the Thai royal family to Wat Arun temple this Friday, following months of rigorous training by 2,200 oarsmen.
By Andrew Kovalenko ·
More than 2,000 oarsmen will propel a fleet of 52 barges through Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River on Friday. The event serves as a public display of the Royal Thai Navy’s maritime capabilities and a central element of the annual Buddhist Kathin ceremony.
The procession is designed to transport King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Queen Suthida, and other members of the royal family to the Wat Arun Ratchawararam temple. This religious observance occurs after the end of Buddhist Lent, a three-month retreat period. During this time, Buddhists present kathin robes to monks who have remained in their monasteries throughout the rainy season.
Preparations for the event began in June at a navy dockyard. The 2,200 oarsmen spent several months learning to row in unison. They transitioned to open water rehearsals in late July. Two full dress rehearsals were conducted in late October, which drew spectators to the riverbanks. These sessions allowed crews to refine the precise movements necessary to maintain a formation of five columns and three lines.
The rowers must also perform traditional boat songs during the procession. These vocalizations serve a dual purpose: they coordinate the rhythmic rowing and showcase Thailand’s cultural heritage. The coordination required to keep 52 large wooden vessels in tight formation demands a high degree of synchronization among the crews.
Thailand’s Fine Arts Department has led the restoration of the wooden barges. The team focused on preserving traditional artistic details while conducting safety inspections and decorative work. The fleet features four principal royal barges with distinct mythological designs. One vessel displays the head of a golden mythical swan, while others feature the multi-headed Naga serpent or the Hindu deity Narayana riding a mythical bird-like creature.
The Royal Barge Procession is reserved for special royal occasions. This year’s ceremony aligns with an auspicious year for Queen Suthida, who turned 48 in June. This age marks the beginning of her fourth 12-year cycle, a significant milestone in Thai royal tradition. The most recent iteration of this event took place in 2024 to commemorate King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s 72nd birthday and his sixth 12-year cycle.
