The Royal Thai Navy is preparing a Royal Barge Procession along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, as part of the celebrations on the auspicious occasion of Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana’s fourth-cycle, or 48th birthday anniversary, 3 June 2026.

The Royal Barge Procession will be organized on 6 November 2026 for a royal journey to present kathin robes to Buddhist monks at Wat Arun Ratchawararam (Temple of Dawn). It has become a tradition to present monks with kathin robes in a merit-making ceremony upon the ending of the Buddhist Lent.

The Royal Thai Navy is scheduled to conduct 12 rehearsals for the Royal Barge Procession, comprising 10 minor rehearsals and two full-dress rehearsals, from August to October. 

The 10 minor rehearsals will be held on 17, 20, and 27 August, 3, 8, 17, and 23 September, and 2, 8, and 15 October. The two full-dress rehearsals will be on 21 and 28 October. Members of the public can view the rehearsals on both banks of the Chao Phraya River, from Krung Thon Bridge to Wat Arun.

The procession spans about 1,200 meters in length and 90 meters in width. It will be arranged into five lines with three rows, comprising 52 barges, manned by 2,200 crew members. Among the barges were four principal royal barges: the Suphannahong, or Golden Swan; the Anantanakkharat, or Multi-headed Naga; the Narai Song Suban King Rama IX; and the Anekkachatphutchong, or Innumerable Naga Figures. 

In preparation for the spectacular Royal Barge Procession, the Royal Thai Navy launched these four royal barges between 5 and 8 August, when it docked them at Thonburi Naval Dockyard's Dock No. 1, Naval Dockyard Department.