History of the Royal Barge Procession

The Royal Barge Procession has taken place since Sri Ayuthaya was the capital of Siam (present Thailand). During that period, royal ceremonial barges, as part of the procession, took the leading role in fighting against enemies. These barges are very beautifully carved and decorated in order to be used in important royal ceremonies, such as, the Royal Kathin Robes Ceremony and Overseas Guests Welcoming Ceremony. In other seasons, previous Thai kings used these barges as royal barges for visiting cities near the rivers.

In the Ratanakosin period, Thailand was at peace and these boats' role in fighting against an enemy was over. From King Rama IV period till now, these barges have been used only as the royal ceremonial barges of Thai kings.

In the Royal Barge Procession, there are several practices such as the arrangement of barge rows and traditions that have been handed down through history. For example, armed boats must be imaginary-animal-bowed boats. In chanting ancient boat songs while in the front part of the royal barge, oarsmen at the back part cannot call out in reply over the king staying in the middle of the barge, but the oarsmen in the front part can, because it is believed that the sound of calling out passes over the head of the king. The manner of rowing the barges is divided into three types: normal rowing, rowing by holding the paddle against the hip, and rowing like a flying bird. On the royal barge, oarsmen must row like a flying bird, if they wish to change the manner of rowing, they must first request permission from the King.

The most important barge in the royal barge procession is the royal barge, the barge upon which the King sits. In the King Rama VI (King Phramongkutklaochaoyuhua) period, the King ordered the building of two royal ceremonial barges:  Suphannahongse Barge [Former name: Sri Suphannahongse built in the king Rama I (King Prabuddhayodfachulalok the Great)] is determined as the king's royal barge with the imaginary swan bow, painted in gold lacquer and decorated with colour glass ornaments. It is used by 50 oarsmen. The second barge ordered was the, Anantanagaraj Barge (built to replace the former barge built in the reign of King Rama IV. The barge is also determined as the king's royal barge with an imaginary great snake's 7 heads bow, painted in gold lacquer and decorated with colour glass ornaments. 54 oarsmen are required to operate this barge.

King Rama V (King Phrachulachomklaochaoyuhua) ordered the officials concerned to build Anekchatbhuchong Barge, which is arranged as a Sri class royal barge with the bow intricately carved and gilded in a delicate pattern of small imaginary snake figures. It is used by 61 oarsmen. Besides these special royal barges, there are about 50 barges in the royal barge procession. These barges have been restored several times in commemoration of heroism of Thai ancestral warriors, and are invaluable and are regarded as unique national treasures.

In 1996 (B.E.2539), on the occasion of the 50 th Anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's Accession to the Throne, the Royal Thai Navy not only restored all the royal ceremonial barges to excellent condition, but also built one more royal ceremonial barge as a royal barge manned by 50 oarsmen. The King named this new barge "The Royal Barge Narai Song Suban H.M. King Rama IX".