The 2026 Royal Barge Procession departed from Wasukri Pier in an orderly and magnificent fashion, with citizens lining the route to welcome Their Majesties the King and Queen throughout the journey.
On 6 Nov 2026, it was reported that many people came early to secure seats to welcome Their Majesties the King and Queen as they proceeded to perform the Kathin robe-offering ceremony at Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan, marking the auspicious occasion of the King's 80th birthday anniversary.
This year, the royal barge procession included 52 barges arranged in 5 rows, 3 columns, and 17 sections, spanning 1,280 meters long and 90 meters wide. The central column, or the royal barges line, was in the middle of the procession and consisted of four royal barges.
The first barge was the Anantanakkharat, carrying the Kathin robe pavilion. The second was the Suphannahong, the barge with the royal throne. The third was the Anekchatphuchong, a reserve royal barge. The fourth was the Narai Song Suban of King Rama IX, also a reserve royal barge. There were two drum barges: the inner drum barge called Tangmo, used by the procession commander, and the outer drum barge called E-Luang, for the deputy commander. Three police barges served as royal guards protecting the monarch.
The side columns flanking the central royal barges consisted of animal-shaped barges from the Himmapan forest, serving as royal guards alongside the royal barges on both sides. There were eight animal-shaped barges, forming four pairs: Asuravayuphak, Asurapakshi, Krabi Prab Muang Mar, Krabi Ran Ron Rap, Pali Rang Thawi, Sukreep Khlong Muang, Garuda Hearn Hed, and Garuda Trej Trajak. Two destroyer barges, Suea Thayan Chon and Suea Kamron Sin, and seven escort barges were responsible for overtaking the procession to ensure security. The outermost columns, two rows of 14 barges each, totaling 28 barges, included 22 traditional long barges serving as front and rear guards (11 on each side) and two Kan barges to prevent other boats from cutting into the procession.
At 15:42, the 52 barges with 2,200 oarsmen set off from Wasukri Pier in an orderly and beautiful formation. Along the route, four verses of the traditional boat chant were performed: the first praising the royal dignity, the second admiring the boats, the third celebrating the Kathin ceremony, and the fourth admiring the city. Oarsmen on each barge rowed in unison to the rhythm of the chants. Those on the royal barges used the bird-flight rowing style, raising their oars high, while oarsmen on the animal-shaped and traditional barges used a flat stroke. The procession headed toward the Grand Palace, ending at Wat Arun, covering a distance of 3.9 kilometers.
However, there was no rainfall during the procession.
Watch the live broadcast of the 2026 Royal Barge Procession on Thairath.