Thai Navy Oarsmen Ready for River Procession

Bangkok will host a major royal ceremony on Friday.

The event centers on a fleet of 52 barges moving down the Chao Phraya River.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida will travel to Wat Arun Ratchawararam temple aboard the vessels.

The procession marks the end of the Buddhist Kathin ceremony.

This annual ritual follows the three-month rainy season retreat for monks.

Buddhists present new robes to those who stayed in monasteries during the retreat.

The Royal Thai Navy provided 2,200 oarsmen for the event.

Training began in June at a navy dockyard.

Sailors practiced rowing in unison before moving to the river in late July.

Two full dress rehearsals took place in late October.

Spectators watched these practice runs from both sides of the river.

Rowers must maintain a specific formation of five columns and three lines. They also sing traditional boat songs. These songs help coordinate the rowing and showcase cultural history. The Fine Arts Department restored the wooden barges recently. Workers preserved traditional artistic details and completed safety inspections. Four principal royal barges lead the fleet. These vessels feature elaborate mythical designs. One barge displays a golden swan head on its prow. Others show the multi-headed Naga serpent or the deity Narayana on a bird-like creature. The ceremony occurs in an auspicious year for Queen Suthida. She turned 48 in June, marking the start of her fourth 12-year cycle. The last such procession happened in 2024. That event commemorated the King’s 72nd birthday and his sixth 12-year cycle.