Celebrating the 72nd birthday of the King of Thailand, the Centenary King Boat Parade reproduces Thailand’s traditional and exquisite culture

To commemorate King Vajiralongkorn’s 72nd birthday, Thailand held a royal barge procession on October 27, alongside the Chao Phraya River. The king and queen proudly rode aboard the ornate Suphannahong barge, an embodiment of the nation’s rich cultural heritage. Thousands of navy soldiers paddled traditional, handcrafted barges, accompanied by spirited chants that celebrated Thailand’s exquisite traditions.

Historically, waterways played a crucial role in the lives of ancient Thai people, serving various purposes such as warfare, transportation, and royal or Buddhist ceremonies. Records indicate that royal barge processions date back to the Sukhothai period. However, no physical remnants from that era have been discovered by contemporary historians.

The accounts of royal barge processions during the Ayutthaya period are plentiful, with all barges meticulously crafted by hand. Unfortunately, many of these vessels were destroyed toward the end of the Ayutthaya dynasty. It wasn’t until the Chakri Dynasty, under King Rama I, that an initiative was set in motion to recreate the royal barges from the Ayutthaya style for official use.

In 1932, during the reign of King Rama VII, a grand royal barge procession was held to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Bangkok’s founding. Following Rama VII’s departure from Thailand, this ceremonial tradition fell dormant until it was revived under King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1957, coinciding with the celebration of the 2,500th anniversary of Buddhism.

King Bhumibol frequently held royal barge processions during his reign. After his passing in 2016, his son, King Vajiralongkorn, ascended the throne as Rama X. The royal coronation ceremony took place in May 2019, followed by the most recent royal barge procession in December of the same year.

On July 28, marking King Vajiralongkorn’s birthday, a flotilla of barges made its way down the Chao Phraya River. The parade stretched approximately 1.2 kilometers and lasted nearly an hour, featuring 52 vessels and more than 2,200 navy personnel. The soldiers paddled in carefully coordinated movements that required substantial physical effort, with the average age of participants being around 20 to 30 years.

Singers among the officers performed throughout the journey, their powerful voices dedicated to praising not just the king but also the beauty of the barges and the picturesque scenery along the river.

Many Thai citizens eagerly gathered along the riverbanks and designated viewing areas early in the day, braving the sweltering sun while waiting for the procession to commence. Around 3 p.m., the barge procession set off, with onlookers waving the national flag and the yellow royal flag, chanting “Sawaadheekha, Long Live the King!” in Thai.

The leading four vessels carried the most significance, with the Suphannahong barge carrying the king and queen. Built during the reign of King Rama V, its swan-shaped bow and lustrous golden finish adorned with glass embellishments stand as a symbol of royal heritage. The second vessel, the Anantanakkharat, constructed under Rama VI, features the seven-headed Naga at its bow, similarly decorated in gold.

The final two barges are the Anekkachatphutchong and the Narai Song Suban, the latter inspired by Vishnu, one of the three principal deities in Hinduism, and was built in 1996 to celebrate King Bhumibol’s 50-year reign.

These vessels, crafted using traditional techniques from the Ayutthaya era, underscore the royal barge procession as a celebration of Thailand’s royal craftsmanship and cultural traditions, reflecting the deep historical connection between Thai people and their waterways.