Navy prepares royal barge procession for King’s Kathin ceremony marking Queen’s 48th birthday
2026-03-10 - 06:24
BANGKOK — The Royal Thai Navy on Tuesday launched a training programme for instructors of royal barge crews as preparations begin for a Royal Barge Procession scheduled for later this year. Admiral Pairoj Fuangchan, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy, presided over the opening ceremony on 10 March at the Royal Barge Division under the Transport Department of the Navy in Bangkok Noi district. The programme marks the first step in preparing for the Royal Barge Procession accompanying the royal journey to present Kathin robes at Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan on 6 November 2026. The ceremony will be held to honour the auspicious occasion of the fourth cycle (48th) birthday anniversary of Queen Suthida. A total of 162 personnel from 35 naval units assigned to operate royal barges are taking part in the training. They include 58 barge captains and 104 helmsmen who will serve on 52 royal barges. Participants will learn traditional rowing techniques and procedures in accordance with royal protocol. After completing the programme, they will return to their units to train barge crews assigned to each vessel. Training begins with land-based rowing practice, followed by manoeuvring exercises on water before progressing to full formation rehearsals on the Chao Phraya River. The navy’s overall preparations also include personnel training, rowing rehearsals, restoration of royal barges and preparation of docking facilities. The procession will involve 52 royal barges arranged in five formations stretching 1,200 metres in length and 90 metres in width, with about 2,200 oarsmen taking part. The Royal Barge Procession is a long-standing Thai royal tradition dating back to the Sukhothai Kingdom and continued during the Rattanakosin Kingdom. During the reign of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, the procession has been held twice — during the royal coronation in 2019 and during the royal Kathin ceremony at Wat Arun in 2024.