Row, Row Your Boat

Last Thursday afternoon I went to Banglumpoo to meet a friend for a drink but arrived a little earlier at the Chao Phraya riverside.

First thing I noticed immediately was some people taking photos of… the Royal Barge Procession rehearsals, I’d completely forgotten about that!

It had obviously already started as I could see several boats under the Pinklao Bridge moving away, but luckily there were till more coming from the Rama VIII Bridge area.

Despite it ‘only’ being a rehearsal it still is an impressive sight, as in many ways this procession is uniquely Thai which you won’t see anywhere else in the world happening.

Also it is not a yearly event, this will be only the second Royal Barge Procession in the present reign.

The first was held on 12 December 2019 to honour the occasion of the Coronation of HM The King.

During the rehearsals this part of the Chao Phraya river is ‘closed’ for all other boat traffic since the procession involves a lot of special boats.

Altogether there are 52 barges, including four major royal barges – the Suphannahong, the Narai Song Suban, the Anantanakkharat, and the Anekkachatphutchong.

There will be 2,200 oarsmen to row the ceremonial barges along the Chao Phraya River, from the Wasukri Pier to Wat Arun, in a 1.2-kilometre-long and 90-metre-wide formation.

Besides the traditional barges there are lots of smaller marine boats accompanying the procession for safety reasons.

This unique event takes place from 15.00 – 18.00 Hrs. on 27 October, but probably will be very, very crowded.

Therefore if you like to have a good view better check out one of the remaining rehearsals from the Rama VIII Bridge to Wat Arun on 26 September, 1 and 10 October.

After that there will be two full-dress rehearsals on 15 and 22 October.