Smiles
September 14th, 2011, 10:17
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
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