Thailand's Royal Barge Procession
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Thailand’s Royal Barge Procession (Thai: กระบวนพยุหยาตราชลมารค) is a ceremony of both religious and royal significance which has been taking place for nearly 700 years. The exquisitely crafted Royal Barges are a blend of craftsmanship and traditional Thai art. The Royal Barge Procession takes place rarely, typically coinciding with only the most significant cultural and religious events. During the 60-year reign of King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Procession has only occurred 15 times.
The Royal Barge Procession, or 'Praratcha Phithi Phra Yuha Yatra Cholamak' (Royal Waterway Procession) consists of 52 barges (51 historical Barges, and the Royal Barge the Narai Song Suban King Rama IX, built in 1994 and the only Barge built during King Bhumibol’s reign) and is manned by 2,082 oarsmen. The Procession proceeds down the Chao Phraya River, from the Wasukri Royal Landing Place, in Bangkok's Dusit district, past the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the The Grand Palace, Wat Po (Thai: วัดโพธิ์), and finally arrives at Wat Arun (Thai: วัดอรุณ, Temple of the Dawn).
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[edit] History
Thailand’s Royal Barge Procession most likely began during the Ayutthaya period, in the 14th century. Western visitors witnessed and wrote about the “immense procession with 200 boats” upon their arrival in Thailand in the 18th century. 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.
In 1767, Burma invaded Thailand, and amid the destruction hundreds of the barges were burned and destroyed. General Taksin rallied the Thais, and established the 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 the holy image of Buddha to the new capital.
General Chakri succeeded General Taksin on the latter’s death, and moved the capital to present-day Bangkok, across the Chao Phraya river from Thonburi. General Chakri, the first king of the Chakri Dynasty, named King Buddha Yodfah, or Rama I, began the Royal Kathin Ceremony procession. The Kathin Ceremony is the presentation of robes Kathin Robes and making of merit in tribute to and support of the Buddhist Monks.
Soon after his accession to the throne in 1782, King Rama I ordered the construction of the Royal Barge Subanahongsa. The Royal Barge Subanahongsa was the principle Royal Barge for over 100 years. Rama VI, in 1911, launched its successor, also named Subanahongsa.
Prince Nakhon Sawan, during the reign of Rama V, regulated the formations, which became established as the standard “Major” and “Minor” formations still used today.
The Processions took place occasionally, until 1932, upon the dissolution of the absolute monarchy, and were not resumed until 1957, in celebration of the 25th century of the Buddhist Era. In 1959, H.M. King Bhumipol Adulyadej revived the Royal Barge Procession for the Royal Kithin.
[edit] Modern Processions
[edit] Occurrences
In the reign of the present King, His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej, 15 royal barge processions have been conducted:
[edit] Major Sailings
- The 25th Century Celebrations of the Buddhist Era - 14 May 1957
- Royal Barge Procession in the Bangkok Bicentennial 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)
- Royal Barge Procession for APEC Meeting 20 October 2003
- King’s 60th – Diamond Jubilee of King’s accession to the throne. 12 June 2006 (52 barges)
[edit] 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 the Buddha Image, 12 April 1982
[edit] Organization
The Royal Barge Procession is conducted in one of two formations, the Major and 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, movement of the 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.
[edit] Major Barge Procession
Arranged in five rows.
- 1 pair of lead barges carrying high ranking officials with the position of permanent undersecretary.
- 1 pair of ancient Thai battle boats with cannons at the bow, carrying army conniellers.
- 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 6 musicians playing the Java pipes and Indian drums.
- 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 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
[edit] Minor Barge Procession
- 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 covered throne for monks' robes, Buddha image or 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
[edit] The Barges
[edit] The Royal Barges
Royal Barge Suphannahongsa |
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| Length: | 46.15 m |
|---|---|
| Width at Beam: | 3.17 m |
| Hull Depth: | 94 cm |
| Draught: | 41 cm |
| Displacement: | 15 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 |
The Royal Barge Suphannahongse was built in 1911 during the reign of Rama VI with a bow resembling a mythical swan, or Hongsa, adorned with gold lacquer and glass jewels, with a crystalline ball and tassle dangling from her mouth. This 46 meter craft was carved from a single trunk of teakwood, and was launched November 13, 1911. There is a golden pavilion on board to house the King and his Royal family. The World Ship Trust, in 1992, awarded the Royal Barge Suphannahongse as a Maritime World Heritage. [1]
Royal Barge Anantanagaraj |
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| Length: | 44.85 m |
|---|---|
| Width at Beam: | 2.58 m |
| Hull Depth: | 87 cm |
| Draught: | 31 cm |
| Displacement: | 15.26 tons |
| Crew: | 54 oarsmen 2 steersmen 1 chanter 1 signalman 1 standard bearer 7 bearers of The Royal Insignia |
The original The Royal Barge Anantanagaraj 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 Anantanagaraj was built during the Reign of Rama VI (King Vajiravudh), and launched on April 14, 1914. The bow is carved into the 7-headed Nagaraj, the mystical snake-like creature, in gold lacquer and glass jewels.
Royal Barge Anekchatbhuchongse |
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| Length: | 45.67 m |
|---|---|
| Width at Beam: | 2.91 m |
| Hull Depth: | 91 cm |
| Draught: | 1.46 m |
| Displacement: | 7.7 tons |
| Crew: | 61 oarsmen 2 steersmen 1 chanter 1 signalman 1 standard bearer 2 officers (one fore, one aft) 7 bearers of The Royal Insignia |
The Royal Barge Anekchatbhuchongse is the oldest of the four Royal barges, being the actual barge built during the reign of Rama V (King Chulalongkorn). While no mystical figure is readily visible on the bow, numerous small ornamental Naga figures are carved into the bow.
Royal Barge Narai Song Suban HM Rama IX |
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| Length: | 44.30 m |
|---|---|
| Width at Beam: | 3.20 m |
| Hull Depth: | 1.10 cm |
| Draught: | |
| Displacement: | 20 tons |
| Crew: | 50 oarsmen 2 steersmen |
The Royal Barge Narai Song Suban H.M. Rama IX is the only barge built during the reign of H.M. Bhumipol Adulyadej, who laid the keel in 1994, it was built under commission by the Royal Thai Navy and the Thai Department of Fine Arts and was launched May 6, 1996 to coincide with the celebration of H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s Fiftieth Anniversary of his accession to the throne. The Royal Barge Narai Song Suban HM Rama IX is the official barge of state.
[edit] The Other Barges
- Escort Barges
- Ekachai Class Barges
- Krut Class Barges
- Krabi Class Barges
- Asura Class Barges
- Sua Class Barges
- Lesser Escorts and Attendants (rua daeng, rua saeng)
[edit] See also
His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej's 60th Anniversary Celebrations
[edit] Notes and references
- "Royal Barges" (Thai Language); Government Public Relations Department, Office of the Prime Minister; ISBN 974-7858-92-4
[edit] External links
- Royal Kathin Ceremony
- Royal Barge Procession Photos (Java-enhanced photos of the APEC 2003 Royal Barge Procession).
- Royal Barge Procession Video ( Dress rehearsal for the Royal Barge Procession on the JAO PHRAYA river, Bangkok, Thailand, 7th October, 1999).
[edit] Miscellaneous
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Image of Royal Barge Suphannahongse on Thai 100 Baht denomination banknote |
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Image of Royal Barge Anantanagaraj on Thai 20 Baht denomination banknote |
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Image of Royal Barge Suphannahongse on Thai 9 Baht denomination postage stamp |
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Image of Royal Barge NaraiSongSuban on Thai 9 Baht denomination postage stamp |
