GRAND ROYAL BARGE PROCESSION & LIGHT-AND-SOUND SHOW

During 2006, the Kingdom of Thailand celebrates the auspicious occasion of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s Sixtieth Anniversary of His Majesty’s Accession to the Throne. This will be a year of regal splendour as grand celebrations are held throughout the Kingdom of Thailand to honour HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the ninth ruler of the Chakri Dynasty founded in 1782. An inspiration to his subjects, this much loved monarch is admired and respected by people all over the world. HM King Bhumibol is the longest-reigning monarch in Thai history, and has for some time been the world’s longest reigning incumbent monarch.

The Royal Barges of the Kingdom of Thailand are the last of their kind in the world. One of the kingdom’s grandest spectacles, the Royal Barge Procession on the Chao Phraya River, the ‘River of Kings’, is an ancient tradition that was revived by His Majesty King Bhumibol in 1959. This breathtaking water-borne procession is reserved for nationally auspicious occasions and has been held fourteen times during the His Majesty’s reign.

On this auspicious occasion of the Sixtieth Anniversary Celebrations of His Majesty the King’s Accession to the Throne in 2006, monarchs and head of states from 29 nations from around the world will be joining Their Majesties the King and Queen as royal guests. The Grand Royal Barge Procession being organised by the Royal Thai Navy on June 12, 2006 to mark the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of His Majesty the King’s Accession to the Throne is set to be the grandest ever held in recent times.

The grand procession will involve 52 traditional-style barges, four of which are major royal barges — Suphannahongse, Anantanagaraj, Narai Songsuban H.M. King Rama IX, and Anekchatbhuchongse, 12 barges with animal figureheads and 36 smaller ceremonial barges. A total of 2,082 Navy officers from various units within the Royal Thai Navy will serve as oarsmen.

In his capacity as Chairman of the Preparation Committee for the Royal Barge Procession, Assistant Chief of Staff for Personnel of the Royal Thai Navy, Vice Admiral Suphakorn Buranadilok, indicated that Their Majesties the King and Queen and royal guests consisting of monarchs and head of states from 29 nations from around the world will be viewing the actual procession, which will be held on June 12 during 19.30 – 20.30 hrs, from the Royal Navy Institute (Ratchanavik Sapha), situated by the Chao Phraya River.

A new royal barge procession boat song has been specially composed for this auspicious occasion. The 45-minute long boat song provides accompaniment as the barges proceed gracefully along the river. The poetic composition describes His Majesty’s contributions to the country, the beauty of the royal barge procession and the beauty of the country.

Dress Rehearsals on June 2 and 6
Full Dress Rehearsals on June 9

The Royal Thai Navy will be conducting two dress rehearsals of the royal barge procession on June 2 and 6, followed by a full dress rehearsal on June 9. These are open for public viewing.

The flotilla will assemble at 17.00 hrs. The principle barge will be positioned at the Rama VIII Bridge section of the Chao Phraya River.

The royal barge procession will depart from Wasukri Pier and cruise 4.5 kilometres downriver to Wat Arun — Temple of Dawn. The procession is scheduled to arrive in front of the Royal Navy Institute, where the light-and-sound show will be presented, at 19.30 hrs. The river will be closed to boat traffic during 17.00 -20.00 hrs on June 2, 6, 9 and 12.

It will be possible to observe the procession from both banks of the Chao Phraya River. However there will be no additional lighting after dark.

The best vantage point for viewing the full formation of the Royal Barge Procession in all its splendour will be from on board the Riverside III cruise ship docked by the Royal Thai Navy Institute and the section of the Chao Phraya River at the Bank of Thailand. Tickets for both these locations are now available for the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

TICKETS (Now available from the Tourism Authority of Thailand)

• Riverside III Cruise Ship, Royal Navy Institute
  Full view of the Royal Barge Procession and Light-and-Sound Show
  On board the Riverside III cruise ship docked by the Royal Thai Navy Institute
  3,000 baht per person, total of 840 seats (includes heavy cocktail, no alcohol)
  Dress Rehearsal: June 2 and 6, 2006
  Full Dress Rehearsal: June 9, 2006

15.00 – 16.00
Board the Riverside III cruise ship at Nivet Voradit Pier, Royal Navy Institute
The river cruiser will depart at 16.00 sharp. There will be no shuttle transfers.

• Bank of Thailand riverside lawn
  Ideal location for viewing the full formation of the Royal Barge Procession up close
  1,000 baht per person, total of 1,200 seats (snack box included)
  The light-and-sound show will not be visible from this section of the river
  Dress Rehearsal: June 2 and 6, 2006
  Full Dress Rehearsal: June 9, 2006
  Actual performance: June 12, 2006

Part of the proceeds from the sales of tickets will be donated to funds for the restoration of the Royal Thai Navy School on the occasion of its 100th anniversary. Visitors are urge to travel to both locations by public transport. Designated parking areas will not be provided.

Part of the proceeds from the sales of tickets will be donated to funds for the restoration of the Royal Thai Navy School on the occasion of its 100th anniversary. Visitors are urge to travel to both locations by public transport. Designated parking areas will not be provided.

More Information: 
Royal Thai Navy Web site: http://www.navy.mi.th/sctr/royal_barge_60/eng/index.php

Source:
www.tatnews.org
www.60thcelebrations.com