Talking about water ... The Royal Barge Procession

[Smiles]

If in Bangkok on October 22 you might want to find a spot along the banks of the Chao Praya to watch a full-blown Royal Barge Procession. The large processions don't happen every year, so this year should be something quite special. I haven't seen one myself and have been waiting for a few years now to see the Big One ... something's always come up, or we were off travelling, or or or.
But this year, our mugs will be peering out over the river for the spectacle.

The other day we checked out the route (i.e. from the general area of the Pinklaow Bridge south to Wat Arun) and unfortunately there are almost no hotels on the river between these two points ... a balcony view from a river hotel would obviously be perfect.
Perhaps booking a seat ~ and staying all day ~ at a very convenient Black Canyon coffee shop might be one good idea. How many coffees can one drink in 6 hours waiting?

http://www.abc12.com/story/15247297/the ... =printable (http://www.abc12.com/story/15247297/the-kingdom-of-thailand-to-stage-royal-barge-procession-on-22-october-2011?clienttype=printable)


" ... The water-borne royal kathin procession on 22 October will consist of a flotilla of 52 traditional-style barges arranged in five columns, based on a battle formation from ancient times. This is made up of four major royal barges тАУ Suphannahongse, Narai Song Suban H.M. King Rama IX, Anantanagaraj and Anekchatbhuchongse, ten barges with animal figureheads and 38 smaller vessels. The five-column flotilla stretches 1,280 metres in length and 110 across. A total of 2,200 sailors from various units within the Royal Thai Navy will serve as oarsmen.

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 Suphannahongse at Vasukri Pier at 3.30 pm. ... "

An old photo (1865) of one of the barges taking part in the procession.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v18/sawatdeephotos/800px-RoyalBarge1865.jpg

I have heard most places along the river and viewing stands are fully booked. However, there will be two full dress rehearsals - one is on the 13th and the other is on the 18th. The Pattaya City Expats Club Newsletter has the following in their upcoming events section:


OCTOBER 22, SATURDAY тАУ ROYAL BARGE PROCESSION & ROYAL KATHIN CEREMONY тАУ A rare event as the last Royal Barge Procession was held in 2006. 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 Suphannahongse at Vasukri Pier at 3.30 pm. Four royal barges and 48 other barges with more than two thousand rowers and attendants all in traditional dress will proceed down the Chao Phraya River to Wat Arun to mark the end of Buddhist Lent and to celebrate the King's 84th Birthday Year. It will consist of a flotilla of 52 traditional-style barges -- the last of their kind in the world -- including four major royal barges, ten barges with animal figureheads and 38 smaller vessels. The five-column flotilla stretches 1,280 meters in length and 110 across. A total of 2,200 colorfully-clad sailors from various units within the Royal Thai Navy will serve as oarsmen тАУ see this website for info: http://keehuachee.blogspot.com/2011/08/ ... on-on.html (http://keehuachee.blogspot.com/2011/08/bangkok-royal-barge-procession-on.html). The official ceremony is expected to end at approximately 5.30 pm. There will also be two full-scale dress rehearsals on October 13th and 18th. See the Club Announcements section for information on a planned trip to see the rehearsal procession on October 18.

The last time they had one, I watched it from the comfort of my living room as it was televised.

[bao-bao]

Those who are fortunate enough to be there ought to make an effort to see the procession, one way or the other. Unless you were diligent about keeping up with events like this or had Thai contacts who heard earlier on it would just be sheer luck for a visitor to have a reservation at a hotel with a riverside view, I suppose, but if I was going to be there I'd try to find a way to catch a glimpse.

Thanks for the tip - I hope if someone goes they report back on it. :cheers: