The Royal Barge Procession to Celebrate
The Diamond Jubilee of the King's Accession to the Throne
Along the Chao Phraya River on 12 June 2006

On the occasion of the diamond jubilee of His Majesty the King's accession to the throne on 9 June 2006, the Royal Thai government has assigned the Royal Thai Navy to organize the royal barge procession starting from Wasuki Landing Place to Wat Arun Landing Place, on 12 June 2006. About 2,082 personnel from various naval units will take part as oarsmen in the procession, which comprises 52 royal ceremonial barges.

>>Apart from that, the Royal Thai Navy will provide facilities at the Royal Thai Navy Convention Hall to house the exhibition held in honour of the king on his works over the past 60 years and also at the New Building of the Royal Thai Navy Institute where foreign kings and queens will be invited over after viewing the exhibition to have tea and watch the royal barge procession.

Boat song chanting is an indispensable part of excursion by boat. There are two distinct styles of boat songs. One is written for the chant in the royal barge procession on ceremonial and auspicious occasions. The other is for boating or festivals. However, the latter is now declining in popularity while the former is still in use for the royal barge procession. This tradition should be kept as the national heritage for the succeeding generations.

Link