Thousands of spectators lined the banks of the Chao Phraya river yesterday for the first dress rehearsal of the Grand Royal Barge Procession, which is to be held on June 12 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King's accession to the throne. The actual procession on June 12 will be viewed by Their Majesties the King and Queen and royal guests _ the monarchs and heads of state from 26 nations _ at the Royal Navy Institute (Ratchanavik Sapha), situated by the Chao Phraya.


The authorities concerned held a full rehearsal to make sure that the event will be on schedule and that no mistakes will be made. The procession started at about 4.30pm from the Wasukri Pier near the National Library to the Memorial Bridge.


A total of 2,082 oarsmen rowed the 52 traditional-style barges, four of them major royal barges _ the Suphannahongsa or Golden Swan, the Narai Song Suban King Rama IX, the Anantanagaraj or Multiple-Headed Naga, and the Anekajatibhujonga or Innumerable Naga Figures. There are 12 barges with animal figureheads and 36 smaller ceremonial barges.


By 5.30 pm., the procession had arrived at the Royal Navy Institute as scheduled, with the 45-minute boat song describing His Majesty's contributions to the country, the beauty of the barge procession and the beauty of Thailand.


About 20,000 krathongs and 600 floating lanterns will be launched on the night of June 12 to give Their Majesties and the royal guests a splendid view before leaving

Thanks for posting the article Khan

The whole country is gearing up to celebrate the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King's accession to the throne. The Grand Royal Barge Procession is an amazing spectical to watch

World royalty to join Thailand's celebrations on HM King's 60 years on throne

BANGKOK, March 31 (TNA) - A glittering array of the crowned heads of nearly 30 countries around the world have accepted Thailand's invitation to lend their lustre to the kingdom's grand celebrations of the 60th anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's ascension to the throne in the middle of this year, caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Culture Minister Surakiart Sathirathai announced here on Thursday.

Mr. Surakiart told journalists that a panorama of monarchs--kings, queens, sultans, emperor, as well as their consorts--of 15 countries, out of 29 countries invited, had confirmed their participation in the country's grand celebrations on the auspicious occasion set on June 12-13.

They include Bahrain, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Lesoto, Luxemburg, Lichtenstein, Monaco, Nepal, Qatar, Sweden, Swaziland.

"Other countries, including Denmark, Spain, Morocco, Tonga, Bhutan, the Netherlands, Norway, Belgium and the United Kingdom, have confirmed that royal spouses or crown princes or other members of the
royal families will participate in the celebrations," said Mr. Surakiart.

The caretaker premier invited all Thai people to join the government in jointly hosting the grand celebrations.

He also invited Thais to join government projects on renovations of temples, as well as the country's other historic or cultural heritages to mark the auspicious occasion this year.

The celebrations include a spectacular Royal Barge procession, as well as other royal and state events, according to the caretaker deputy premier.

TNA

Grand Royal Barge Procession

(12 June 2006 : Chao Phraya River, Bangkok)

One of the most extravagant events to celebrate the 60th anniversary of his majesty's accession to the throne is the Royal Barge Procession. There will be 52 of spectacle barges rowed by 2,082 crewmen from the Royal Thai Navy. The formation of the vessels is 1,200 meters long and 90 meters wide.
The 3-kilometre long procession will take place at 7:30 p.m. on 12 June 2006 along the Chao Phraya River , from the Tha Wasukri landing to King Rama I Bridge in Bangkok. During the period, monarchs and their representatives from 28 countries will visit to join the celebrations. His Majesty the King and the royal dignitaries will attend the show.

A total of 52 barges will be used in this grand procession, with four major royal barges, namely the Subanahongsa, or Golden Swan, the Anatanagaraj, or Multiple-headed Naga, the Anekajatibhujonga, or Innumerable Naga Figures, and the Narai Song Suban King Rama IX. Oarsmen will come from various units within the Royal Thai Navy.