The Royal Barge Procession - splendor on the Chao Phraya River

The royal barge procession on Bangkok, conducted on very rare occasions, is a spectacular royal armada on the Chao Phraya river. This procession is normally conducted in the following circumstances: When the king ascends the throne. When the King falls on the Chao Phraya River to present robes to the monks during the ceremony of the Royal Krathin after Buddhist Lent in October. When the king is going to Saraburi to honor Buddha's footprint. Upon receipt of Bangkok important Buddha images from other cities. Upon receiving foreign dignitaries diplomatic Bangkok. Some of the memorable Royal Barge processions during the reign of King Rama IX, the present King, were as follows: May 14, 1957, to commemorate the 25th century of the Buddhists. On April 06, 1982, to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Bangkok was the Bicentenary of Bangkok. On 05 December 1999, to celebrate 72 birthday of King Rama IX. Procession real ship, the latest was on October 20, 2003 for the closing ceremony of the APEC conference in Bangkok in honor of visiting Heads of State. This procession was as special as this was the first time that took place during the night, including the special light and sound effects for the stretch of river in front of the VIP. Guests were seated in the Royal Navy Institute of Thailand through the Chao Phraya River in the Grand Palace. At 2000 hours, 50 barges consisting Suphannahong, the Narai Song Suban King Rama IX and the escort barges were launched from the mountain Wasukri Pier. This fleet of royal barges, when fully operational in a sail training for up to five columns and 90 feet wide, stretched 1.5 kilometers along the Chao Phraya River. Meanwhile, at the Institute of Royal Thai Navy, a 10-minute show and presentation of sound in six languages, was made on the history and tradition of royal barges. The presentation was scheduled to end, as the royal barge procession sailed in sight, apparently, the water illuminated by gold as a curtain of fog descended on the river, creating an ethereal atmosphere. Two thousand men of the Royal Thai Navy in ancient dress uniform strongly paddling in unison, honed through months of intense practice. His songs lyrics, old boat, which dates from the time of King Narai of Ayutthaya, floating in the River. Just then, the night exploded like fireworks burst, filling the sky with brilliant colors of the national participating nations. Cascade down the lights illuminating the royal barge procession streaming past the Grand Palace, a splendid end to a great event. The barges can be viewed in real time OYAL R Barge Museum, Bangkok.