BANGKOK; King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida travelled along Bangkok's Chao Phraya River in the Royal Barge Procession on November 6, 2026, to perform the royal Kathin robe-offering ceremony at Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan.
Large crowds gathered along both banks of the river to pay their respects and offer their best wishes as the royal procession passed.
The ceremony was held to commemorate the auspicious occasion of Queen Suthida's fourth-cycle, or 48th, birthday anniversary on June 3, 2026.
The procession comprised 52 ceremonial barges arranged in five columns and three lines, following traditional royal practice.
The Royal Thai Navy, Bureau of the Royal Household and Fine Arts Department worked together to restore and repair the vessels, while naval personnel underwent continuous rowing rehearsals to ensure the procession proceeded smoothly.
Four principal royal barges took part: Suphannahong, Anekkachatphutchong, Narai Song Suban King Rama IX and Anantanakkharat.
The Anantanakkharat carried the royal Kathin robes in an ornate ceremonial pavilion, while animal-figure barges and escort vessels completed the formation.
Their Majesties departed Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall at Dusit Palace by royal motorcade at 3pm, accompanied by Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya, His Royal Highness Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti and Chaokhun Phra Sineenatha Bilasakalyani.
Upon arriving at Wasukri Pier, they were received by privy councillors, the prime minister, the president of the Supreme Court, the president of Parliament and senior government officials.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy, acting as commander of the procession, presented a report on the number of participating vessels and naval personnel.
Their Majesties then boarded the Royal Barge Suphannahong, while Princess Sirivannavari, Prince Dipangkorn and Chaokhun Phra Sineenatha boarded the Royal Barge Anekkachatphutchong.
A military guard of honour paid tribute as the band performed the Royal Anthem.
The captain of Suphannahong subsequently requested royal permission to begin the journey. The secretary-general of the Royal Household conveyed the royal command authorising the procession to depart from Wasukri Pier towards Wat Arun.
As the barges moved along the Chao Phraya River, ceremonial drums, conch shells, traditional horns, trumpets and pipes sounded from vessels throughout the procession.
The guard of honour rendered its salute while the military band played March Thong Chai Chaloemphon, accompanying the ceremonial fleet along the river.
Upon reaching Wat Arun, the Royal Barge Anantanakkharat approached the ceremonial landing near the temple's principal prang.
Royal ceremonial officials carried the Kathin robes from the pavilion aboard the barge to the temple's ordination hall.
The Royal Barge Suphannahong then berthed at the landing in front of the ordination hall, allowing Their Majesties to disembark.
A guard of honour saluted as the band again performed the Royal Anthem.
The Royal Barge Anekkachatphutchong subsequently came alongside Suphannahong, enabling Princess Sirivannavari, Prince Dipangkorn and Chaokhun Phra Sineenatha to disembark and accompany Their Majesties to the ordination hall.
Inside the hall, His Majesty lit incense sticks and candles in homage to Phra Buddha Thammisorarat Lokathatdilok, the temple's principal Buddha image.
The King then presented the royal Kathin robes in accordance with royal Buddhist tradition.
Members of the public continued to follow the ceremony, which formed the central purpose of the royal journey.
Following the Kathin ceremony, Their Majesties, accompanied by members of the royal family and Chaokhun Phra Sineenatha, visited an exhibition entitled Wat Arun's Prang: From Rattanakosin Identity towards World Heritage.
The royal party subsequently proceeded to the monument of King Buddha Loetla Nabhalai, or King Rama II.
His Majesty laid a floral tribute and lit incense sticks and candles before paying homage to the royal statue.
Their Majesties then returned to Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall at Dusit Palace, concluding the royal Kathin merit-making ceremony and the Royal Barge Procession.
The occasion highlighted Thailand's traditional craftsmanship, naval skills and boatbuilding heritage, while continuing a longstanding royal tradition closely associated with the country's Buddhist culture.
