Thailand's Royal Barge Procession (
Thai: กระบวนพยุหยาตราชลมารค;
RTGS:krabuan phayuhayattra chonlamak) is a ceremony of both
religious and
royal significance which has taken place for nearly 700 years. The royal barges are a blend of craftsmanship and traditional
Thai art. The Royal Barge Procession takes place rarely, marking only the most significant
cultural and religious events. During the long reign of King
Bhumibol Adulyadej, spanning over 70 years, the procession only occurred 16 times.
The Royal Barge Procession, in the present, consists of 52
barges: 51 historical barges, and the Royal Barge, the Narai Song Suban, which King
Rama IX built in 1994. It is the only barge built during King Bhumibol's reign. These barges are manned by 2,082
oarsmen. The procession proceeds down the
Chao Phraya River, from the Wasukri Royal Landing Place in
Khet Dusit,
Bangkok, passes the
Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the
Grand Palace,
Wat Po (
Thai: วัดโพธิ์), and finally arrives at
Wat Arun (
Thai: วัดอรุณ, 'Temple of the Dawn').
History
Thailand's Royal Barge Procession most likely began during the
Ayutthaya period in the 14th century. European visitors witnessed and wrote about an "immense procession with 200 boats" upon their arrival in Thailand in the 17th century.[citation needed] During the processions, the
oarsmen were kept in rhythm by the beating of
drums, with accompanying music. This traditional boat song was written by Prince Dhamma Dibes of the late-Ayutthaya period.
Most of the vessels in the procession doubled as warships, and when war erupted, the barges and boats were used as weapons.
In 1767,
Burma invaded Thailand, and, for the second and last time, were able to capture the capital,
Ayutthaya. The entire fleet was burned and destroyed after the Burmese found them at their hideaway. General
Taksinrallied theThais and established a new capital at
Thonburi. During his short 15-year reign, Taksin ordered the reconstruction of the barge fleet, and used a fleet of 115 barges to carry a revered likeness of
Buddha to his new capital.
Chao Phaya Chakri succeeded King Taksin and moved the capital to the east side of the river to what is now known as Bangkok. Chao Phaya Chakri, founder of the
Chakri dynasty, ruled as
King Buddha Yodfah (Rama I) and began the Royal Kathin Ceremony Procession. The
Kathin Ceremony is a presentation of Kathin robes to monks and earns merit by honouring and supporting Buddhism.
Soon after his
coronation in 1782, King Rama I ordered construction of the royal barge Si Suphannahong. The Si Suphannahong was the principal royal barge for more than a century. In 1911 King
Rama VI launched its successor, also named Suphannahong.
The
Prince of Nakhon Sawan, during the reign of
Rama V, devised fleet formations, which became the standard "major" and "minor" formations used today.
Processions took place occasionally until the absolute monarchy ended in 1932. Most of royal barges were kept near Thonburi train station. It was bombed in WWII, destroying a large number of royal barges. They were not employed again until the celebration of the 25th century of the
Buddhist Era in 1957. In 1959, Bhumibol Adulyadej revived the Royal Barge Procession as a means of presenting the Royal Kathin (robes for monks) in a royal ceremony.[1]
Modern processions
Occurrences
In the reign of King Rama IX, Bhumibol Adulyadej (
r. 1946–2016), 16 royal barge processions were conducted:
Major sailings
The Buddhist Era 25th century celebrations - 14 May 1957
Royal Barge Procession in the Bangkok Bicentenary Celebrations, 5 April 1982
Royal Barge Procession for Royal Kathin Ceremony at Wat Arun, 20 October 1982
Royal Barge Procession for Royal Kathin Ceremony at Wat Arun, 16 October 1987 (King's 60th Birthday)
Royal Barge Procession for Royal Kathin Ceremony at Wat Arun, 7 November 1996 (King's 50th anniversary on the throne)
Royal Barge Procession for Royal Kathin Ceremony at Wat Arun, 4 November 1999 (King's 6th cycle, 72 years old)
King's 60th – Diamond Jubilee of the king's accession to the throne. 12 June 2006 (52 barges)
(video)
Royal Barge Procession for Royal Kathin Ceremony at Wat Arun, 5 November 2007 (King's 80th Birthday)
(video)
Royal Barge Procession for Royal Kathin Ceremony at Wat Arun, scheduled for 22 October 2011 (King's 7th cycle, 84 years old), but postponed due to massive flooding and run on 9 November 2012.[3][4](video)
Royal Barge Procession for Thailand's new monarch, King Maha Vajiralongkorn 12 December 2019 (52 barges)
(video)
Additional sailings (Royal Kathin)
Royal Barge Procession for Royal Kathin Ceremony at Wat Arun 15 November 1959
Royal Barge Procession for Royal Kathin Ceremony at Wat Arun, 2 November 1961
Royal Barge Procession for Royal Kathin Ceremony at Wat Arun, 22 October 1962
Royal Barge Procession for Royal Kathin Ceremony at Wat Arun, 15 November 1964
Royal Barge Procession for Royal Kathin Ceremony at Wat Arun, 19 October 1965
Royal Barge Procession for Royal Kathin Ceremony at Wat Arun, 27 October 1967
Barge Procession to transport a Buddha Image, 12 April 1982
Fleet formations
The Royal Barge Procession is conducted in one of two formations, the major or the minor. The major formation, also known as the Major Battle Formation (Petch Phuang Major Battle Formation) dates from the time of
King Narai. This formation is used for the more significant events, such as the Royal Kathin Ceremony, the movement of a sacred image of Buddha, or important occasions of state. The Petch Phuang Formation is arranged into five columns, with the royal barges in the center, and two rows of war barges on each side. In the minor formation, there are three columns, the royal barges in the middle, and a single row on each side.
Major barge procession formation
Arranged in five rows.
1 pair of lead barges which historically carried high-ranking officials with the position equivalent to today's ministry permanent secretary.
1 pair of ancient Thai battle boats with cannons at the bow. They historically carried military courtiers.
2 pairs of plain outer barges
4 pairs of inner barges with decorated mastheads in the shape of the garuda, monkeys, and ogres.
1 outer drum boat, 1 inner drum boat, with six musicians each playing the
Pi and the
klong khaek.
1 inner, 1 outer boat for the Royal Police.
The Ekachai Barge with covered throne for monks' robes, the Buddha image or flower arrangements complete with regalia.
The Ekachai Hern Hao Barge and the Ekachai Lao Thong Barge, carrying musicians from the
Prakhom band of the Bureau of the Royal Household and the
military bands of the
Royal Thai Army to lead the Royal Barge.
The Royal Barge with covered throne and regalia
Pavilion Barge for the king's change of robes
Second Royal barge
1 pair of Police barges
2 pairs of Army barges
1 pair of plain rear barges
Minor barge procession formation
1 pair lead barges
1 pair attack barges
7 pairs plain barges
4 pairs animal masthead barges
1 left drum boat, 1 right drum boat
2 police boats—left and right
The Ekachai Barge with a covered throne for the monks' robes, a Buddha figure or a flower arrangement complete with regalia
The Ekachai Hern Hao Barge with musicians and the Ekachai Lao Thong Barge
The royal barge with appropriate regalia
The second royal barge
1 pair police barges
The barges
The royal barges
The royal barge Suphannahong (
Thai: เรือพระที่นั่งสุพรรณหงส์; 'Golden Swan' or the 'Phoenix') was built in 1911 during the reign of
Rama VI (King Vajiravudh) with a bow resembling a mythical swan, or hong, adorned with gold
lacquer and glass jewels, with a crystalline ball and tassel dangling from her mouth. This 46-meter craft was carved from a single trunk of
teakwood, and was launched 13 November 1911. There is a golden
pavilion on board to house the king and his immediate royal family. Suphannahong is the regular royal barge, if a royal is travelling with the procession. Its hull is painted black.
The World Ship Trust, in 1992, named the royal barge Suphannahong a Maritime World Heritage.[6]
The royal barge Anantanakkharat (
Thai: เรือพระที่นั่งอนันตนาคราช; Ananta, 'king of serpents') was built during the reign of
Rama III (King Nangklao). It was used as the primary royal barge of
Rama IV (King Mongkut). The current Anantanakkharat was built during the reign of
Rama VI (King Vajiravudh), and launched on 14 April 1914. The bow is carved into the seven-headed Nakkharat, the mystical snake-like creature, in gold lacquer and glass jewels. Anantanakkharat carries a smaller pagoda-like structure to carry holy objects, unlike the others royal barges, which are equipped with pavilions. Her hull is painted green.
The royal barge Anekkachatphuchong (
Thai: เรือพระที่นั่งอเนกชาติภุชงค์; 'variety of serpents') is the oldest of the four royal barges, built in the late-19th century during the reign of
Rama V, (King Chulalongkorn). While no mythical figure is readily visible on the bow, numerous small ornamental
Nāga figures are carved into the bow. The hull of Anekkachatphuchong is painted pink.
The royal barge Narai Song Suban Ratchakan Thi Kao or the royal barge Narai Song Suban HM King Rama IX (
Thai: เรือพระที่นั่งนารายณ์ทรงสุบรรณ รัชกาลที่ ๙; "
God Narayana on his carrier,
Garuda") is the only barge built during the reign of
Bhumibol Adulyadej, who laid the keel in 1994. It was built under commission by the
Royal Thai Navy and the Thai
Fine Arts Department and was launched 6 May 1996 to coincide with the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of Bhumibol Adulyadej's accession to the throne. She temporarily took over the role of the main royal barge from Suphannahong for one occasion. She has a red hull. The original Narai Song Suban started life as Mongkol Suban, and had only the Garuda as a figurehead, before having a statue of Narayana retrofitted to her by King Mongkut and renamed Narai Song Suban.
The names of the four royal barges are composed in a consistent rhyme: "Suphannahong", "Narai Song Suban", "Anantanakkharat" and "Anekkachatphuchong". The royal barge's arrangement in the procession would have "Anantanakkharat" leading, with the "Suphannahong", "Narai Song Suban" and "Anekkachatphuchong" following respectively.
Suphannahong สุพรรณหงส์
Anantanakkharat อนันตนาคราช
Anekkachatphuchong อเนกชาติภุชงค์
Narai Song Suban HM Rama IX นารายณ์ทรงสุบรรณ รัชกาลที่ ๙
Length:
46.15 m
44.85 m
45.67 m
44.30 m
Width at beam:
3.17 m
2.58 m
2.91 m
3.20 m
Hull depth:
94 cm
87 cm
91 cm
110 cm
Draught:
41 cm
31 cm
1.46 m
Displacement:
15 tons
15.26 tons
7.7 tons
20 tons
Crew:
50 oarsmen 2 steersmen 1 chanter 2 officers fore 2 officers aft 1 signalman 1 standard bearer 7 bearers of the royal insignia
54 oarsmen 2 steersmen 1 chanter 1 signalman 1 standard bearer 7 bearers of the royal insignia
61 oarsmen 2 steersmen 1 chanter 1 signalman 1 standard bearer 2 officers (one fore, one aft) 7 bearers of the royal insignia
Escort barges consist of different classes of barges. Most of their bows are decorated with either a painting or a figurehead of a mythical creature. Other types have less elaborate design. The barges with figureheads have rowers dressed in decorated purple uniforms with pink trousers and red ancient-style helmets with a tall crown and wide brim. The oarsmen on the Ekachai class are dressed in white uniforms with pink trousers and small red headgear with
havelocks.
Ekachai-class barges are two barges with a gold painting of a horned creature that is half-
nāga half-
dragon, Ekachai Hern How and Ekachai Lao Thong. They might be used to tow Suphannahongse against a strong current or when the royal barge needs assistance. Unlike other escort barges, Ekachai class barges are not equipped with
cannon. The two barges can be distinguished by their slightly differing eyes. In the past, there have also been Ekachai-like royal barges, but none are in service today. The Ekachai class is currently used to host musicians.
Krut-class barges are two barges with
garuda figureheads with nagas caught on their wings and feet. The garuda on Krut Hern Het (Flying Garuda) is red while the one on Krut Tret Traichak ('Garuda travelling through the three worlds') is pink.
Krabi-class barges consist of four barges with
Vanara figureheads, Pali Rang Thawip (
Vali rules the land), Sukrip Khrong Mueang (Sugriva rules the city), Krabi Ran Ron Rap, and Krabi Prap Mueang Man. The bow of Pali Rang Thawip depicts
Vali, the elder brother of
Sugriva on Sukrip Khrong Mueang, rulers of the
Kishkindha Kingdom. Both have crowns on their heads with their body colors green and red respectively. Krabi Ran Ron Rap and Krabi Prap Mueang Man ('Monkey defeats the city of evil') feature uncrowned warriors of Vanara
Nilaphat (black body) and
Hanuman (white body), respectively.
Asura-class barges are two barges with half-bird, half-ogre figureheads. The bow on Asura Vayuphak has an indigo body in a purple coat; Asura Paksi has a green body in a purple (front) and green (back) coat.
Suea-class barges are barges with the painting of a tiger, Suea Thayan Chon and Suea Kamron Sin. The names of the barges are clearly written on the bow in red lettering.
Thong barges are the twin barges that lead the procession. They are shaped much like a smaller, much less elaborate version of Anekkachatpuchong and are painted with their names in white on their bow freeboard area; the tips of their bow and stern are painted in gold. The men on these boats are dress like those on the royal barges, but not entirely alike.
Lesser escort barges
Most of the barges of the fleet are lesser escorts and attendants such as Ruea Dang, Ruea Saeng, police barges, and drum barges. They have no figurehead or cannon. They are painted mostly black, and their type, number, and name (if they have one) is painted on their bows in white. They can be differentiated as follows:
Police barges have rowers dressed in black and have a relatively flat bow and stern, with the stern raised slightly higher than the bow.
Saeng barges have a flat bow and stern, but rowers are dressed in white and black headgear; there are also slightly more rowers on these boats. The boats number from one to seven.
Dang barges have a more pronounced bow and stern, with their shapes similar to those found on the Anekkachatpuchong and the Thong barges, but are smaller, painted black, and less elaborate. These boats number from 1 to 22. Their oarsmen are dressed in black uniforms similar to those of the rowers on royal barges, with red trim on their uniforms.
The Tangmo ('watermelon') and the E. Leeung barges precede the royal barges. They are shaped like the Police and Saeng barges, but are smaller and sit lower in the water. The oarsmen dress like the rowers on the Saengs.
Preservation
The present fleet of barges was restored during the reign of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, as some had suffered damage in bombing raids on Bangkok during
World War II. The dock that stored them, located in the
Bangkok Noi District, became the
National Museum of Royal Barges.[1] Only eight important barges, including all four royal barges, are displayed in the museum due to limits of space. Displayed with the boats are a number of smaller historical artifacts related to the barge processions, such as old procession layout plans and some partial remains of the older decommissioned and/or damaged boats, including the bow and figurehead of the old Narai Song Suban.[8] The remainder are kept at Wasukri Pier, next to the National Library of Thailand. All are stored out of the water to prevent deterioration. They return to the Chao Phraya River only for a Royal Barge Procession.
^Richard Barrow (11 November 2012).
"Royal Barge Procession: 9 November 2012". Thailand Festivals and Events 2012. Festivals of Thailand. Archived from
the original on 2012-11-11. Retrieved November 11, 2012. The procession, which is also to celebrate the 85th birthday anniversary of His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej the King on 5 December 2012, will take place between 3 pm and 5pm on 9 November 2012.[failed verification]