B a n g k o k THELOCALITIES Special issue

ROYAL BARGES

PROCESSION 2012

Experience of a life time

Royal Barge Procession กระบวนพยุหยาตราชลมารค is a ceremony of both religious and royal significance

which has been taking place for nearly 700 years. The exquisitely crafted Royal Barges are a blend

of craftsmanship and traditionalThai art. The Royal Barge Procession takes place rarely, typically

coinciding with only the most significant cultural and religious events. During the reign of King

Bhumibol Adulyadej, spanning over 60 years, the Procession has only occurred 16 times.

The Royal Barge Procession, in the present, consists of 52 barges: 51 historical Barges, and the

Royal Barge, the Narai Song Suban, which King Rama IX built in 1994. It is the only Barge built

during King Bhumibol's reign. These barges are manned by 2,082 oarsmen. The Procession pro-

ceeds down the Chao Phraya River, from the Wasukri Royal Landing Place in Dusit, Bangkok,

FEATURE >>>>

ROYAL BARGES

PROCESSION 2012

Experience of a life time

Bangkok THELOCALITIES

It began during the Ayutthaya period in 14th century. Western visitors witnessed and wrote about

the "immense procession with 200 boats" upon their arrival in Thailand in the 18th century. During

the processions, the oarsmen were kept in rhythm by the beating of drums, with accompanying

music.

In 1767, Burma invaded Thailand, and amid the destruction, hundreds of the barges were burned

and destroyed. General Taksin rallied the Thais and established the new capital atThonburi. King

Taksin ordered the reconstruction of the barge fleet, and used a fleet of 115 barges to carry the

holy image of Buddha to the new capital.

General Chakri succeeded General Taksin on the latter's death, and moved the capital to pre-

sent-day Bangkok. General Chakri, the first king of the Chakri Dynasty, named King Buddha Yod-

fah, or Rama I, began the Royal Kathin Ceremony Procession. The Kathin Ceremony is the presen-

tation of Kathin robes and the earning of merit in tribute to and support of the Buddhist Monks.

๔ ๓

THE ROYAL BARGES

๑ ๒ “The Suphannahong”

Resembling a mythical swan, or hong, adorned

with gold lacquer and glass jewels, with a crystal-

line ball and tassle dangling from her mouth. This

46-meter craft was carved from a single trunk

of teakwood, and was launched 13 November

1911. There is a golden pavilion on board to

house the king and his royal family.

“The Anantanakkharat ”

Anantanakkharat as name for King of Serpents.

Originally built in the Reign of King Rama III. The

current Anantanakkharat was built during the

Reign of Rama VI(King Vajiravudh), and launched

on 14 April 1914. The bow is carved into the 7-

headed Nakkharat, the mystical snake-like crea-

ture, in gold lacquer and glass jewels.

("the Garuda") is the only barge built during the

reign of King Bhumipol. It was built under commis-

sion by the Royal Thai Navy and the Thai Depart-

ment of Fine Arts and was launched 6 May 1996

to coincide with the celebration of the fiftieth an-

niversary of Bhumibol Adulyadej's accession to the

throne.

("the Variety of Serpents") is the oldest of the four

Royal Barges, being the actual barge built dur-

ing the reign of Rama V (King Chulalongkorn).

While no mythical figure is readily visible on the

bow, numerous small ornamental Naga figures

are carved into the bow.

“The Anekkachatphuchong ” “The Narai Song Suban HM

King Rama IX ”

๗ ๙ ๕ ๘

๔

๒ THE ESCORT BARGES

๖ Ekachai class are

the two barges

with a gold paint-

ing of a horned

creature that is

half-nāga half-

dragon and they

are not equipped

with cannon

“Asura” “Krabi” “Krut ” “Suea”

Kurt Class are the

two barges with

Garuda figure

heads with Nagas

caught on their

wings and feet.

consist of four

barges with Va-

r a n a f i g u r e

heads , Pali Rang

Thawip, Sukrip

K h r o n g

Mueang, Krabi

Ran Ron Rap,

and Krabi Prap

Mueang Man.

consists of two

barges with half-

bird, half-ogre fig-

ureheads

Suea class are the

barges with the

painting of a ti-

ger, with the

names of the

barges are clearly

written on the

bow.

“Ekachai ”

PRESERVATION

The dock that stored the barges,

located in the Bangkok Noi district,

was then turned into the National

Museum of Royal Barge. Only eight

important barges, including all four

Royal Barges, are displayed in the

museum due to space constraint.

The remaining are kept in the dock

next to Wasukri Pier.

National Museum of

Royal Barge

Location

Address:

Tel

Operate hours

Entrance fees

1 3 . 7 6 1 9 4 7 , 1 0 0 . 4 8 4 6 5 8

A r u n A m a r i n D i s t r i c t ,

B a n g k o k n o i , B a n g k o k

1 0 7 0 0

0 2 - 4 2 4 - 0 0 0 4

D a i l y , 9 a m - 5 p m

3 0 B

Bangkok THELOCALITIES

HIGHLIGHT

The Royal Barge Procession 2012 (Royal Kathin Ceremony)

Actual

9th November 2012

Full dress rehearsal

1st & 6th November 2012

1pm —7pm

Rehearsal

21,27 September 2012

4, 8, 12, 19, 25, 29 October 2012

2pm onward

Between Tha Chang to Pra Pin Klao Bridge

SUGGESTIONS

Thammasat University

&

Venice Vanich

Details

Seated, Meal, beverages &

guide are included

Price:

900B - 5,000B (Special discount

from AIS—mobile operator)

Reservation 02-271-9095

@ 6 Public Piers (N9-N12)

Details

Seated on the piers only 4 rows

available

Price:

300B - 700B

Reservation 02-623-6001-3

www.chaophrayaexpressboat.com

New Siam River Side

Details

Via hotel room (cant open win-

dow during actual ceremony)

Price:

1,390B - 2,990B

Reservation 02-282-2795

www.newsiam.net

Arun Residence

Details

Via hotel room (cant open

window during actual cere-

mony)

Price:

From 3,500B

Reservation 02-221-9158-9

arunredsidence.com

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