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THE ROYAL BARGES: A BRIEF HISTORY
One of the largest recorded Royal Barge Processions in Thai history is said to have been in Ayutthaya when King Narai led a procession of 147 barges along the Chao Phya River. The barges were then more than just decorative or ceremonial, they were the King's navy. The greater the number of barges in the fleet, the more visible proof of the King's power. Boat races were both a source of entertainment and a means of keeping boat crews in top physical readiness. The annual barge procession in those days also compelled officials to maintain a large flotilla of boats and trained crews in case of war.
After the accession to the throne of King Buddha Yodfah or Rama I, the first King of the Chakri Dynasty, and the establishment of Bangkok as the capital, the King set about recapturing the glory of old Ayutthaya and replacing lost treasures. This included the construction of new Royal Barges.
The Royal Barge Procession in April, 1932 for the Sesquicentennial Celebration of the Chakri Dynasty and Bangkok as the capital, was the last one under the absolute monarchy, and the last until May 14, 1957. This procession was a part of the 25th century celebration of the Buddhist Era, which was held in Bangkok. Thirty-nine barges were in the flotilla. The Barge Suphannahongse carried an image of the Lord Buddha; the Barge Anantanagaraj carried the Holy Scriptures; and the Barge Anekchatbhuchong carried a group of senior Buddhist monks.
In 1959 H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej revived the barge procession for the Royal Kathin at Wat Arun (The Temple of Dawn). The year 1961 was "Visit the Orient Year" and on November 2, His Majesty the King proceeded by barge procession to present Kathin robes to monks at Wat Arun.
In 1967 a Royal Barge Procession was held once again for the Royal Kathin Ceremonies and His Majesty the King proceeded by the Royal Barge Suphannahongse to Wat Arun. Following a 15 year lapse, a Royal Barge Procession was held in 1982 as a part of the Bicentennial Celebration.
The barges Suphannahongse, Anantanagaraj and Anekchatbhuchong are each manned by fifty oarsmen, two helmsmen, two officers and one flagman. The silver and gold paddles are raised high in unison at the end of each stroke, regulated by a rhythm keeper who taps the butt of his silver spear on the deck in time with the chanting of boat songs. In 1982, 2,100 navy men manned the 51 barges in the procession.
In 1987 a barge procession was a part of the celebration for the 60th (5th cycle) birthday of His Majesty the King.
As a part of the jubilant celebration for the 50th anniversary of his Majesty's reign in 1996, the procession consisted of 53 old Royal Barges and the newly constructed Royal Barge Narai Song Suban, King Rama IX, the name given the new barge by H.M. the King.
H.M. the King presided over the ceremony of laying the keel of the new barge at the Navy Dockyard on September 5, 1994 the first new barge to be built during the present reign.
The Narai Song Suban, King Rama IX has a figurehead of the god Narai on his celestial transport, a Garuda. During the 3rd reign a barge was built with a Garuda figurehead, because in mythology the Garuda was a vehicle of the god.
This new barge is of the same rank as the Royal Barges Anantanagaraj and Anekchatbhuchong. The barge is 44.30 metres long, 3.20 metres at the beam and 1.10 metres deep with a draught of .40 metres. It has a displacement of 20 tons and carry 50 oarsmen. The Royal Thai Navy did not request any budgetary assistance from the Thai Government, and raised the necessary funds from its own special projects.
Celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the reign of the beloved People's King, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great — the longest reigning of any Thai King in history, marked a joyous and most auspicious occasion in Thai history. The occasion was made all the more majestic with the magnificent Royal Barges taking to the waters of the celebrated River of Kings once more.
REGAL SPLENDOUR
The Royal Barge Procession
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GRAND ROYAL BARGE PROCESSION & LIGHT-AND-SOUND SHOW
June 2, 6, 9 and 12, 2006
Tickets Now Available from the Tourism Authority of Thailand
Locations:
Bank of Thailand - riverside lawn
Riverside III cruise ship docked by the Royal Navy Institute
Dress Rehearsal: June 2 and 6
Full Dress Rehearsal: June 9
Actual performance: June 12
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SOURCE
Excerpts from "Royal Barges" Courtesy of the Public Relations Department of The Royal Government Of Thailand
The book "Royal Barges" was published by the Government Public Relations Department, Office of the Prime Minister to mark the 50th Anniversary of His Majesty's Accession to the Throne.
ISBN 974-7858-92-4 |
