The Royal Barge Procession 2012

The amazing and absolutely unique in the world "Royal Barge Procession" will be held on November, 9th on the Chao Phrao River (River of Kings) in Bangkok.

Don't miss your chance to feel relegated for 700 years in time. A time, back in history till the first independent Kingdom of Thailand.

Feel yourself in the middle of a stunning and breathtaking spectaculum of the 14th century and sense the vibes when joining this rare event.

This is an once in a lifetime experience!

Gaze the majestic procession of 52 Royal Barges and realize the power, the grandness and the dramatic composition of such a concentration of more than 2300 oarsmen.

The Royal Barge Procession

It is an amazing spectacle in amazing Thailand, which "always amazes you". 

This is the slogan of Thailand's Tourism Authority 

and it matches in this case exactly.

This "Royal Barge Procession" will put you under banishment. Look, feel and listen to the boat chants. They are an essential and important part of the procession.

Long before you see the first barge, you will already recognize the roaring chants, not to mention when the Procession is passing you. 

The first three Barges. Do you see them?

The additional sound from poking long wooden poles on the back of the Barges made me a flash crawl. 

The wooden poles.

It was an armada in majestic slow motion. 

Inexpressibly, fascinating and incredible.......

On one hand side sounds the poking with the poles was threatening and on the other hand side it completes the monontone sound of the chant with a rhythm. 

It was a nobly spectacle with the loudly refrain chanted by 2300 oarsmen and the majestical gliding barges down the River of Kings (Chao Phraya River).

The Grand Palace in the background.

I had the rare oppurtunity to join the last full dressed rehearsal of the Royal Barge Procession, together with a few other bloggers and media people last Tuesday. We watched the procession in opposite of the Grand Palace at the Royal Thai Navy Convention Hall. 

Here are also seats available. You will find a telephone number and the link to for buying tickets at the end of this article.

Shortly in front of the start the weather looked more like rain and we felt already a few rain drops but as soon as the procession begans, the clouds went away and sun offered us a good frame for taking pictures.

Wat Po in the background.

You can find more informations about the Royal Barges and the formation of the "Royal Barge Procession" in another posting.

This ravishing spectacle takes over an hour. The "Royal Barge Procession"  will start at 3pm on Vasukri Royal Landing Pier. From this location the Royal Barges will glide down the Chao Phraya River in majestic style until Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn).

Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn)

At Wat Arun will be the "Royal Kathin Ceremony" held. For this reason is the complete official name of this event like the following:

"The Royal Barge Procession to Present the Royal Kathin Ceremony 

in a part of The Celebration on the Auspicious Occasion of 

His Majesty the King's 85th Birthday Anniversary 5th December 2012"

The monks at Wat Arun getting during "The Royal Kathin Ceremony" new robes from the Royal family. More about "Royal Kathin Ceremony" in this  posting.

This year, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will preside over the "Royal Barge Procession" on behalf of His Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn

© Sidakan

The timetable of "The Royal Barge Procession" and the "Royal Kathin Ceremony".


As I wrote in an earlier posting, you will find various places along the river to join this event for free, but be aware to head early for this spots!


Date of the "Royal Kathin Ceremony" and "Royal Barge Procession": November 9, 2012

Place: Tassana Pirom Yard, Naval Assembly, Royal Thai Navy, Bangkok

In case you are interested in a ticket:

Price of Ticket: 1500 baht / seat

How to get the ticket:

1. Tel: +66 2970 2544 to 5

2. www.welovebooking.com



Another good location with best view on the "Royal Barge Procession" is at the Cafe Arts Restaurant. 

Club Arts Gallery

It is located at the river, close to the location where the Royal Barges were placed at the moment. 

www.clubartsgallery.com

This is a good spot if you like to see how they prepare and pull the Royal Barges to the Vasukri Royal Landing Pier. This will happen between 12pm and 2pm.

The restaurant offers delicious food and you can enjoy the Art Gallery for free. 

Pad Thai in a different style and other delicious food.

Reservations are highly recommended!

The Flotilla and Barges - The Royal Barge Procession 2012

The "Royal Barge Procession" is a religious and royal significance ceremony which began in 1357.

I described the history of the "Royal Barge Procession" in this earlier posting already. If you like to know more about the history, click here.

The official name for the Procession and the "Royal Kathin Ceremony" in 2012 is:

"The Royal Barge Procession to Present the Royal Kathin Ceremony in a part of The Celebration on the Auspicious Occasion of His Majesty 

the King’s 85th Birthday Anniversary 5th December 2012."

The Royal Barge is a Thai cultural heritage nowadays. They are unique in the world and the Barges are an exquisite and detailed artistic work of artists from several areas and profession, like architects, pattern designer, carver and painter.

King Bhumibol (Rama IX.) is the ninth monarch of the Chakri dynasty, which is founded in 1782. He is the longest reigning monarch in Thai history, and he is since 1989 the world’s longest reigning monarch too.

The Procession involves barges carrying the deeply revered Buddha image (Phra Buddha Sihing) and members of the royal family to present offerings of saffron kathin robes, food and other necessities to the monks at Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn).

The flotilla consist of 52 barges. 51 are historical barges and one is a new barge, made in era of His Majesty King Bhumbibol in 1994. It is the "Narai Song Suban H. M. King Rama IX".

The Flotilla Formation for the "Royal Barge Procession" is arranged in 5 columns. This is the battle formation of ancient times.

In the middle of the flotilla will be four royal barges: Suphanahong (this one will be used by His Royal Highness Crown prince Maha Vajiralongkorn on November, 9th to present the Kathin robes to the monks at Wat arun Ratchaworaram ), Narai Song Suban H.M. King Rama IX., Anantanakkarat and Anekkachaphuchong.

Royal Barge Suphannahong

Rama VI

The bow is made like a head of a Royal Swan or Hamsa.

(44,90 meters long, 3,14 meter bride, 0,90 meter depth, 50 oarsmen, 

2 steersmen, 2 officer fore and aft, 1 standard bearer, 1 signalman,

1 chanter and 7 Royal Regalia bearers)

Royal Barge Suphannahong

Eight of the barges having an animal figurehead and 40 are smaller vessels.

Sukrip Khrong Mueang Barge

Figureheads of Monkey Warlords in red color.

(27,45 meters long, 1,95 meter bride, 34 oarsmen, 2 steersmen, 1 officer, 

1 standard bearer, 1 signalman and 2 station markers)

Asura Paksi Barge

Figurehead of an Ogre-faced bird in green color.

Rama I

(30 meters long, 2 meter bride, 40 oarsmen, 2 steersmen, 1 officer, 

1 standard bearer, 1 signalman, 2 station markers and 10 drummers)

Krabi Prap Mueang Man Barge

Monkey Warriors with white body of Hanuman

Rama I

(26,80 meters long, 2,10 meter bride, 36 oarsmen, 2 steersmen, 1 officer, 1 standard bearer, 

1 signalman, 2 station markers and 10 drummer)

Dang Barge

(musicians on board)

Ekachai Hern How Barge

Ekachai Lao Thong Barge

(for leading and towing the Royal Barge Suphannahong)

Figureheads of a cross between a crocodile and Naga known as Hera

(27,50 meters long, 1,99 meter bride, 38 oarsmen, 2 steersmen, 2 officer, 

1 standard bearer and 1 signalman)

The whole flotilla stretches 1200 meters in length an d 90 meters in width. More than 2300 oarsmen from the Royal Thai Navy serving on this barges.

The royal barges of Thailand are the last of their kind in the world. 

The last time that a "Royal Barge Procession" was held was on june, 12th, 2006. Occasion was the diamond jubilee celebration to mark the 60th anniversary of HM King Bhumibol’s accession to the throne.

The procession takes around an hour to make the distance between start point and Wat Arun.

This year, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will preside over the Royal Barge Procession and Royal Kathin ceremony at Wat Arun on behalf of His Majesty the King.

This posting is not complete yet. I will add more pictures, barges and descriptions continously in this posting.

Long before you see the first barge, you will already recognize the roaring chants, not to mention when the Procession is passing you.

Take your time and listen to a boat chant. They are an essential and important part of the procession. But live is different and more fascinating, though don't miss it (November, 9th, 2012).

The chanting has 3 verses. The first verse praises His Majestiy the King. The second verse praise the "Royal Barge Procession" and the third verse praise  the magnificence of the Chao Phraya River that is like a river from Heaven and the attractiveness of Bangkok.


Detailed informations about the "Royal Barge Procession", the barges, the oarsmen, the clothes and the chants.

The Royal Kathin Ceremony - Past and Present

Wat Arun

Theravada Buddhists holding a three-month rainy season retreat called Vassa. Usually the monks should remain at their temple and concentrate on their practise following the rules of the Vinaya. 

At the end of Vassa they have a one month Buddhist fetsival, called Kathina. It beginns after the full moon of the eleventh month in the lunar calendar. This is the time of giving and the most significant merit making festival in Thailand. Everybody is spending at least once in a lifetime clothes for monks. Buddhist monks shouldn't travel during this three month-retreat. 

Originally is the Kathin Ceremony (some transcribts showing "Gathin") from the time of Buddha. The legend says, a group of monks were traveling to meet Lord Buddha, but they weren't able to finish their journey before the rain begans and so they had to make a break until the end of the rainy season.
Afterwards they finished and met Lord Buddha. When he saw the soaked and dirty robes of the monks, he offered his previously donated clothes and told them to make new robes of it.

The full name of this Buddhist festival in Thai is "Thot Kathin". "Thot" means offering something to a monk.

"Kathin" or "Kathina" has four different meanings:

- Kathina is a festival of Buddhists at the end of the three month period of retreat during the rainy season. 

- It is a wooden frame is called Kathina. It helps to stretch the robe while it is being made.

- Krathina is any kind of clothes offered to the monks and made on the wooden frame tool

- The name of the ceremony when Robes are presented to the monks. It is the name of a Buddhist ritual.

There exists two Kathina ceremonies:

Krathina Luang - Royal Kathina: Ceremonies held at the royal temples.

Krathina Rart - Krathina Ratsdorn: Ceremonies at public temples

When the Royals are celebrating this tradition at a royal temple it is called "Royal Kathin Ceremony",  "Royal Kathina Ceremony",  or "Royal Krathina Ceremony" nowadays.

The presentation of Kathin by the King of Thailand or HM representatives is called "The Royal Kathin Ceremony" and has been held often as part of The "Royal Barge Procession". More background informations about the "Royal Barge Procession".

The Procession involves barges carrying the deeply revered Buddha image (Phra Buddha Sihing) and members of the royal family present offerings of saffron kathin robes, food and other necessities to the monks at Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn).

His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej revived the "Royal Kathin Ceremony" as part of the "Royal Barge Procession" first time in 1959. Together they will be held in unregular intervals.

After the last event in 2006 it is furthermore a very rare an unique opportunity like a once in a lifetime experience! Take your Chance to be part of this ancient spectacle!

The official name of this years event, held on November, 9th is called:

 "The Royal Barge Procession to Present the Royal Kathin Ceremony in a part of The Celebration on the Auspicious Occasion of His Majesty the King's 85th Birthday Anniversary 5th December 2012"

Look at the informations about this fantastic thrilling and incredible event in this posting. 

The timetable for the "Royal Barge Procession" and the "Royal Kathin Ceremony".

This year, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will preside over the "Royal Barge Procession" on behalf of His Majesty the King Bhumibol Adulyadej. His Highness will board the Royal Barge "Suphannahong" at the Vasukri Royal Landing Pier.

Maha Varjiralongkorn

© Sidakan

The "Royal Barge Procession" will lead until Wat Arun, where His Royal Highness will present the new robes to monks within the framework of the "Royal Kathin Ceremony" at Wat Arun.

Timetable Royal Barge Procession and Royal Kathin Ceremony

The timetable "Royal Barge Procession" and "Royal Kathin Ceremony":

Date of the Royal Kathin Ceremony and Royal Barge Procession: 

November 9, 2012

The Royal Barge Procession Program:

15:00 Hrs: The Royal Barge will be moored at the Royal Vasukri Landing Pier.

15:10 Hrs: His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will preside over the Royal Barge Procession and Royal Kathin Ceremony at Wat Arun on behalf of His Majesty the King. The Crown Prince will board the Royal Barge Suphannahong Vasukri at the Royal Landing Pier.

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn

© Sidakan

15:40 Hrs: The Royal Barge Procession will pass Royal Thai Navy Convention Hall.

16:00 Hrs: His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will present Kathin robes to monks at Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn).

Wat Arun in the background.

Place: Tassana Pirom Yard, Naval Assembly, Royal Thai Navy, Bangkok

Price of ticket: 1500 baht / seat

How to get the ticket:

1. Tel: +66 2970 2544 to 5

2. www.welovebooking.com

An extraordinary Royal Procession - Royal Barge Procession 2012

Suphannahongsa

You will find several royal processions in different countries all over the world. But if you like to join an absolutely extraordinary and very rare held royal procession on water, then don't miss the Royal Barge Procession in Bangkok.

This is your rare opportunity to join this impressive spectactle!

You can join it on November, 6. during the full dress rehearsal, or at the "Royal Barge Procession" on November, 9. It will be held on the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok.

The beginnings of this unusual procession reaches back to the 14th Century. In 1357 decreed King Boromtrailokanat of Ayutthaya a decree of a ceremony called "Asayuth". A race between the boat of the king and the boat of the queen. The race took place in the 11th lunar month, in particular at the end of the rainy season when the rivers are at their highest tide.

When the boat of the King called "Samatthachai" won, the people could expect hardship and famine. In case the Queen's boat ""Kraisonramuk" won, they would signify fertility and abundance. Needless to say for which boat the peoples sympathy was. Usually the "Kraisonramuk" wons the race.

The procession was moved to fullmoon in the 12th lunar month as "Jong Priang" ceremony. People were floating lights on the water.

Traditions telling of the king's travels in various parts of Thailand and processions with more than two hundred floating barges were seen.

The procession of royal barges is still one of the most well prepared ceremonies in Thailand.

The oarsmen are dressed in colored robes with golden ornaments. They were paddling and moving the barges in the rhythm of traditinal thai chants.

Time is changing and also the way of traffic on Thailand's waterways. You will not see that much paddling boats on the river anymore, except at the Royal Barge Procession.

This ceremony will be preserved as a cultural heritage of Thailand.

Unfortunately, these ceremony is very rare, because it is not held every year. During the beginning of the 66-year reign of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej (King Rama IX. Of Thailand) in 1946, there were only 16 such ceremonies.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej

© Government of Thailand

After the procession in 1932, King Bhumibol Adulyadej revived this tradition first time in 1957, in celebration of the 25th Century of the Buddha era again.

The following processions were called "Royal Kathin Ceremony" held in honor of the Buddhists. Kathina is a festival of Buddhists at the end of the three month period of retreat during the rainy season. 

Members of the royal family offering new saffron colored robes for the monks of Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn). 

Wat Arun is a temple on the West bank of the Chao Phraya River, in opposite of the world famous Wat Po, where you will find the reclining Buddha and fantastic traditional Thai massage, called "Nuad" .

This year, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will hold the ceremony.

Maha Varjiralongkorn

© Sidakan

But who knows, maybe His Majesty is able to attend the Royal Barge Procession on November, 9. in some way...

The full dressed rehearsal will be held on Tuesday 6 November 2012:

The procession starts at 3pm at Vasukri Royal Landing Pier and leads down the river to Wat Arun temple. The end of the ceremony will be around 4.30pm.

However, the river is already closed from 11am for the entire trafic on the river. They have to prepare the 52 barges for the correct alignment and they want to avoid damaging any of this ancient barges because of high waves.

This means crossing the river is only possible via the bridges, either by bus, car, or Skytrain. It will be crowded on the roads and the amount of passengers using the Skytrain will increase too during this time..

The Royal Barge Procession takes place on Friday November, 9.

There are tickets for seats with a good view available, but there is no need to buy expensive tickets. Be early at the river and look for a good place. You will find several good places along the river for taking pictures and enjoying the Royal Barge Procession. One good spot is close to Khao San Road. It is Phra Sumen Fort and the Santichaiprakan Park.


More information on the Royal Barge Procession, the boats, the oarsmen, the clothes and the history:

In English


In German


For those who want to see more barges, visit the Royal Barge Museum. It is located at a branch of the Chao Phrayo River on the West bank (South-West of Pin Klao Bridge).

Eine königliche Prozession nicht alltäglicher Art - Royal Barge Procession 2012

Suphannahongsa 

© Lerdsuwa, Wiki

Imposante königliche Umzüge kann man in einigen Ländern der Welt sehen. Doch wer eine absolut außergewöhnliche und nicht mehr alzu häufig stattfindende königliche Prozession zu Wasser sehen möchte, der darf sich diese seltene Gelegenheit nicht entgehen lassen.

Diese Gelegenheit bietet sich am am 6. November im Zuge der stattfindenden Generalprobe in voller Montur, oder bei der eigentlichen "Royal Barge Procession" am 9. November auf dem Chao Phraya River in Bangkok.

Die Anfänge dieser ungewöhnlichen Prozession reichen bis ins 14. Jahrhundert zurück. 1357 verfügte König Boromtrailokanat von Ayutthaya ein Dekret, wonach die Zeremonie "Asayuth" ein Rennen zwischen dem Boot des Königs und dem Boot der Königin auszurichten sei. Das Rennen sollte im 11. Mondmonat stattfinden, genauer gesagt am Ende der Regenzeit, wenn die Pegel der Flüsse am höchsten sind.

Sollte die "Samatthachai", das war die Barke des Königs gewinnen, so konnte man Hunger und Elend in der nächsten Periode erwarten.

Würde dagegen die "Kraisonramuk", der Kahn der Königin gewinnen, so standen die Vorzeichen auf Fruchtbarkeit und Fülle. Es war klar für welches Boot die Herzen der Menschen schlugen und wem deren Sympathie galt. So gewann dann normalerweise gewann nach den Überlieferungen die "Kraisonramuk".Später wurde die Prozession als "Jong Priang"-Zeremonie fortgeführt und in den 12. Mondmonat zu Vollmond verlegt. Dabei wurden schwimmende Lichter auf die Gewässer ausgebracht.

Überlieferungen erzählen von Reisen des Königs in verschiedenste Gegenden Thailands und Prozessionen mit mit mehr als zweihundert schwimmenden Kähnen.

Die Prozession der königlichen Barken zählt bis heute zu den akribischsten vorbereiteten und ausgearbeitensten Zeremonien in Thailand.

Die rudernden Seeleute sind dabei in farbige Gewänder gekleidet und tragen golden Verzierungen am Körper. Im Schlagrhythmus der Seeleute ertönen traditionelle thailändische Lieder und werden im Refrain durch die mitsingenden Ruderer verstärkt.



Die Fortbewegung und die Geschwindigkeit der Flotte orientiert sich dabei an dem Takt der Musik und variiert aus diesem Grund auch immer wieder. Dies belebt das Spektaktel und gestaltet es noch abwechslungsreicher und imposanter.

Im Laufe des letzten Jahrhunderts wandelte sich das Erscheinungsbild der Schiffsverkehrs in Thailand. Die von Motoren angetriebenen Boote verdrängten die von Manneskraft fortbewegten Barken nahezu komplett, bis auf die Boote der königlichen Barken-Prozession. Diese Zeremonie soll als Kulturerbe Thailands erhalten bleiben. Leider finden diese Zeremonien nicht mehr alljährlich statt. Während dem Beginn der Regentschaft seiner Majestät König Bhumibol Adulyadej, (King Rama IX. of Thailand) 1946, fanden lediglich 16 solcher Zeremonien statt. Das ist in Anbetracht der 66-jährigen Regentschaft König Bhumibols und damit der längsten Regentschaft eines Monarchen weltweit, ein rares Event, welches es zu sehen gilt.

König Bhumibol Adulyadej 

© Government of Thailand

Nach der Prozession im Jahre 1932 belebte König Bhumibol Adulyadej diese Tradition erst im Jahre 1957, zum Anlaß des 25. Jahrhunderts der Buddha-Ära wieder.

Die folgenden Prozessionen wurden als "Royal Kathin-Zeremonie" zu Ehren der Buddhisten abgehalten. Kathina ist das Fest der Buddhisten am Ende der dreimonatigen Zeit der Besinnung während der Regenzeit. Hierbei überreicht  ein Mitglied der Königsfamilie neue safranfarbige Gewänder für die Mönche des Wat Arun (Temple of dawn). Wat Arun ist ein Tempel am Westufer des Chao Phraya Rivers, gegenüber des weltbekannten Wat Po, wo man neben dem liegenden Buddha auch fantastische traditionelle Thai-Massagen, "Nuad"  gennant, bekommen kann.

Dieses Jahr wird Kronprinz Maha Vajiralongkorn die Zeremonie abhalten. 

Maha Varjiralongkorn

© Sidakan

Doch wer weiß, vielleicht erlaubt es der Gesundheitszustand des in Thailand so beliebten Monarchen, der Prozession am 9. November auf irgendeine Weise beizuwohnen...

Die Generalprobe (in voller Montur) findet am Dienstag, den 6. November 2012 statt:

Die Prozession startet um 15 Uhr vom Vasukri Royal Landing Pier und führt flussabwärts zum Wat Arun Tempel. Das Ende der Zeremonie wird gegen 16.30 Uhr sein.

Allerdings wird der Fluss bereits ab 11 Uhr für den gesamten Schiffsverkehr gesperrt. Zum einen gilt es die Boote in die richtige Aufstellung zu bringen und zum anderen will man damit jeliche Beschädigungen durch einen eventuellen hohen Wellengang an den "Kulturgütern" vermeiden.

Das bedeutet, eine Überquerung des Flusses ist ab diesem Zeitpunkt nur noch über die Brücken per Bus, Auto oder per Skytrain möglich. Damit wird es unweigerlich zu einem erhöhten Verkehrsaufkommen und erhöhten Passagierzahlen im Skytrain kommen.


Die eigentliche Prozession findet am Freitag, den 9. November 2012 statt. Es werden Tickets für Tribünensitzplätze angeboten, aber es ist auch möglich sich an mehreren Stellen entlang des Flusses zu platzieren und stehend, aber gratis dem Spektaktel beizuwohnen, so z. B. nahe der Khao San Road am Phra Sumen Fort und dem Santichaiprakan Park.Mehr Information zu der Royal Barge Prozession, den Barken, den Seeleute, der Kleidung und der Geschichte:

In englischer Sprache

In deutscher Sprache

Für alle die sich intensiver mit den Barken und der Royal Barge Prozession auseinandersetzen möchten finden am Westufer des Flusses (südwestlich der Pin Klao Bridge/in einem Seitenarm des Chao Phrayo Rivers) das Royal Barge Museum.