The Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy inspected the royal barge rowing personnel to prepare for the royal barge procession on the occasion of Her Majesty the Queen’s auspicious 4th cycle birthday anniversary.
At 09:00 on 24 June 2026, at the Royal Barge Department, Small Fleet Division, Naval Transport Department, Bangkok Noi District, Bangkok, Admiral Phairoj Fuangchan, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy, inspected the training of personnel serving as royal barge rowers. He also reviewed the readiness of personnel for the royal barge procession during the royal ceremony to offer the Kathin robe in 2026, celebrating Her Majesty the Queen’s 4th cycle birthday anniversary on 3 June 2026. Vice Admiral Ratana Ruangrung, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff for Personnel and Chairman of the Royal Barge Preparation Committee, welcomed him.
Training royal barge rowers is a crucial step in preparing personnel for the royal barge procession. Previously, the Navy conducted training and knowledge transfer on rowing techniques and correct procedures to 58 royal barge captains and 104 royal barge steersmen. Upon completion, they will serve as instructors for royal barge rowers in their respective units.
Currently, royal barge rowing training is at the stage of practicing on land platforms, or “training on the rowing bench,” to familiarize rowers with oar weight, posture, and synchronization. This is followed by water training to develop boat handling skills, separated by training units in various locations. Next is unit and onboard water training, before moving on to formation drills on the river to prepare for smaller and larger rehearsal sessions.
The Navy’s operational plan for preparing the royal barge procession includes personnel readiness, rower rehearsals, royal barge repairs, and pier preparations. Thonburi Naval Dockyard, under the Naval Dockyard Department, has inspected and repaired royal barges and animal-shaped boats using traditional local boatbuilding art, including caulking by driving raw cotton into the seams between wooden planks to prevent water leaks. Afterwards, a mixture of resin and rubber oil is applied to seams and the hull to protect the wood from marine borers that can cause rapid decay.
After completion, the barges are handed over to the Fine Arts Department for decoration according to the royal barge procession plan. This work is overseen by the Ten Craftsmen Department of the Fine Arts Department. Once decorated, the royal barges will be launched for the next phase of rowing rehearsals.
This royal barge procession will feature a total of 52 royal barges divided into 5 divisions, stretching 1,200 meters long and 90 meters wide, with 2,200 crew members. The types of boats included are as follows:
1. Central division with 10 boats
1.1 One royal barge carrying the monarch: the Suphannahong barge
1.2 Two royal reserve barges: Narai Song Suban of King Rama IX and Anekchatphuchong barges
1.3 One 'Pattra' barge: the Anantanakarat barge
1.4 Two drum boats: the inner and outer drum boats, including
– The inner drum boat called 'Tangmo,' for the procession commander
– The outer drum boat called 'E Leuang,' for the deputy procession commander
– Three police boats: Police Boats 1–3, serving as royal guards
1.5 One escort boat: Saeng 7, tasked with protecting the monarch
2. Inner division with 2 rows, 7 boats each, totaling 14 boats
2.1 Two front gate boats: Thong Khwan Fa and Thong Babiin
2.2 Two destroyer boats: Suea Thayan Chon and Suea Kamron Sin
2.3 Eight animal-shaped boats: Asura Vayuphak, Asura Paksi, Krabi Rarn Ron Rap, Krabi Prap Muang Mar, Phali Rang Thaveep, Sukree Phkhrong Muang, Garuda Hin Het, and Garuda Tret Trajak. These boats feature carved figureheads of animals or mythical creatures symbolizing their unit affiliations.
2.4 Two tug boats: Ek Chai Hern Hao and Ek Chai Lao Thong, responsible for towing the royal barges when currents are strong or to increase speed.
3. Outer division with 2 rows, 14 boats each, totaling 28 boats
3.1 22 prow boats: Prow Boats 1–22, tasked with protecting the front of the procession
3.2 Six escort boats: Saeng 1–6, tasked with protecting the monarch
