In celebration of King Vajiralongkorn’s 72nd birthday, Thailand held a royal barge procession on the Chao Phraya River on October 27. This historic event featured the king and queen riding on the majestic golden barge, known as “Suphannahong.”
The tradition of royal barge processions dates back centuries, highlighting the significance of waterways in ancient Thai life. Barges were used for various purposes, including warfare, transportation, communication, and royal or Buddhist ceremonies. Historical records indicate that such processions existed during the Sukhothai period, although contemporary historians have yet to uncover any actual vessels from that era.
During the Ayutthaya period, extensive records document royal barge processions, with the vessels crafted entirely by hand. Unfortunately, many of these barges were destroyed during the decline of the kingdom. In the Chakri Dynasty, however, King Rama I ordered the construction of new barges modeled after those from the Ayutthaya period for official use.
In 1932, during the reign of King Rama VII, a grand royal barge procession was held to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Bangkok’s founding. Unfortunately, after King Rama VII left Thailand, the processions ceased until they were revived under King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1957, in celebration of the 2,500th anniversary of Buddhism.
King Bhumibol frequently hosted royal barge processions throughout his reign. Following his passing in 2016, his son, King Vajiralongkorn, ascended the throne as Rama X in December of that year. The last royal barge procession took place in December 2019, shortly after his coronation in May.
On the afternoon of July 28, as part of the celebrations for King Vajiralongkorn’s birthday, a fleet of royal barges paraded along the Chao Phraya River, extending approximately 1.2 kilometers in length and covering a total distance of about 4.2 kilometers. The procession included 52 barges manned by over 2,200 naval officers, all of whom required significant stamina and physical strength to row in unison.
The official hymn singers, stationed on the barges, delivered powerful performances throughout the entire route, praising the king and the beauty of the barges, as well as the scenic surroundings along the river.
Many Thai citizens arrived early to secure spots along the riverbank and designated viewing areas, braving the sweltering afternoon sun as they awaited the procession. As the fleet set off shortly after 3 PM, crowds waved Thai flags and yellow royal banners, chanting “Long Live the King” in Thai, “Song Phra Jan.”
Leading the procession were four main vessels, the foremost being the golden barges carrying the king and queen, constructed during King Rama V’s reign with a swan-shaped bow and adorned with gold leaf and glass embellishments. The second barge, “Anantanakkharat,” built during King Rama VI’s reign, features a seven-headed Naga at the bow, similarly gleamed with gold.
The third and fourth boats were the “Anekkachatphutchong,” and “Narai Song Suban,” with the latter representing the Hindu god Vishnu and built in 1996 for the 50th anniversary of King Bhumibol’s reign.
Crafted using traditional methods from the Ayutthaya period, these barges—especially the golden barge—stand as masterpieces of royal craftsmanship and a rich reflection of Thailand’s cultural heritage, celebrating the ties that have historically connected the Thai people to their waterways.
