The Royal Thai Navy invites the general public to view major royal barges, which are part of the Royal Barge Procession, to be arranged on the auspicious occasion of His Majesty the King's sixth-cycle (72nd) birthday anniversary this year.

Visitors may view the principal royal barges and some escort barges with animal figureheads at the National Museum of Royal Barges, Fine Arts Department, Arun Amarin Road, Bangkok Noi District, Bangkok. They are also invited to watch the rowing training for oarsmen at the Naval Transportation Department, also in Bangkok Noi District, from today until 2 July 2024, between 09.00 and 16.00 hr.

The Royal Thai Navy will also organize an exhibition in honor of His Majesty the King on 27-28 July 2024 at the Ratchaworadit pier, Maha Rat Road in Phra Nakhon District.

It will organize a royal barge procession on 27 October for a royal journey to present kathin robes at Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn). The Royal Barge Procession along the Chao Phraya River has been included in the activities for the “Celebrations on the Auspicious Occasion of His Majesty the King's 6th Cycle Birthday Anniversary 28th July 2024."

The procession will comprise 52 barges, manned by 2,200 crew members. It will be 1,200 meters long and 90 meters wide. The chanting of boat songs will also be held. Minor and full-dress rehearsals of the procession will be arranged before the event takes place.

The previous Royal Barge Procession was held 12 December 2019 to mark the final phase in the Coronation of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua (Rama X).

The four major royal barges are the Suphannahong, or Golden Swan; the Narai Song Suban King Rama IX; the Anantanakkharat, or Multi-headed Naga; and the Anekkachatphutchong, or Innumerable Naga Figures.