Royal Barge Procession
 

Since it seems a few of you will be in Bangkok around the time, I thought you might like to know that it's just been confirmed there will be a Royal Barge Procession on 9 November 2012. There will be 52 barges with 2,200 oarsman taking part. Full story is in the Post:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingn...t-set-on-nov-9

Note that there will be practices carried out between now and the end of October. I've experienced river boat delays when they're practicing, so you might keep this in mind.

Do they announce the practices? I won't be there for the procession but will be for a week in late October and it might be fun to see the action beforehand.

There are a few riverfront restaurants that you will be able to see the procession from, be it one of the rehearsal event or the main procession. If you want to see it I would aim for the dress rehearsal.

thanks.. hope to be able to see it on nov 2

We will be off the river and near the Erawan Shrine by then. Where can we get a good view of the procession without wilting in the heat?

Aloha!

ooops....just saw the info about the grand rehearsals which would probably be better

peter--maybe we can make a lunch date up on the river or a boat to take us there??

bob--sounds like a plan---with all your bkk connections make it happen ;)

Aloha!

Drat! I'll miss it once again. Last year the flooding kept it from happening, and this year I will be heading back home on November 2...

Maybe I can catch a practice ??

i am crossing my eyes and snapping my fingers and nothing seems to be happening??

maybe pook will suggest a restaurant for us??? supatra??

Karen,

Unless it's one of the dress rehearsal or the main event the timing of the practice run is not precise. You will have to spend the whole afternoon, from about 1 - 5 PM so will you guys have the time or the patience?

Pook, Nov 2nd is one of two "grand" rehearsals according to the article above, would that one be a dress rehearsal or better timed?

Karen, but you didn't pat your head and rub your tummy first, of course nothing happened yet ;)

Aloha!

Peter - yes that should be one of the main rehearsal so if you can find a restaurant situated on the river bank and along the procession route then that should be perfect. I think Bob had researched a restaurant already so he should know. I have only watched the procession from the Naval Club, Royal Thai Navy HQ, and it was a very formal affair. Dressed is suits,long dresses and boiling hot outdoor! If you can get Bob's restaurant with A/C then that will be perfect.

FULL SCHEDULE OF REHEARSALS:

Friday, September 21, 2012
Thursday 27 September, 2012
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Monday 8 October 2012
Friday, October 12, 2012
Friday, October 19, 2012
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Monday, October 29, 2012
Friday 2 November 2012 (Dress Rehearsal)
Tuesday, November 6, 2012 (Dress Rehearsal)
Friday, November 9, 2012 (Final Event)

Thanks Pook!

I think it is a must see if we can work it into our schedule!!! Bob is on detail to find the right place for viewing. Do we know what time of day??? Pook,you said the dress rehersals are at a specfic time?

Karen,

It usually start at around 1 - 2.00 pm and end at around 5.00 pm.

Thanks... We will have to at slow and that's alot of Shingha to drink!

Pook, do most viewers watch the whole thing, or can you get an idea of it after a half hour or so? I see I have two practice runs while I'm in BKK. Maybe I can have a peek.

i now have a res at The Siam Hotel for lunch and await pook's opinion on its location....Michael, any comment?

We will be in Bangkok for some of the rehearsals, can you recommend a good place to watch? I have mobility issues so would not be able to stand, but a good restaurant would be good perhaps? Thinking of 4th October or 12th?
Pauline

maybe supatra restaurant or The Siam Hotel.

we are leaning toward Siam and they got right back to me via e mail

Bob I'm not familiar with the Siam as it's a new hotel and I'm not sure if it's on the procession route. If you email the hotel and ask them perhaps they will tell you.

Just checked on the map and the Siam hotel should be around the starting point of the procession but do confirm with them.

thanks pook

thank you for the information will research a bit more ....

Interesting to hear what the Siam says. They are near the starting point - I've been held up on the express boat around there before when the boys have been out for a practice - but I would have thought they were too close. You might see a lot of the boats, while they get ready to depart, but not much of the actual procession. Still, it might be interesting.

thanks michael.... the bridge is very close there and i wondered if it might be a problem..

i have a confirmed reservation at supatra riverside restaurant which is about 1/2 way along the route. i called them as they did not answer my e mail

If the restaurant is 1/2 way along the route then expect to see the beginning of the procession at around 3 to 3:30 PM but I would be at the restaurant at least around 2:30 PM. Once you see the first barge it should take around 30 - 45 minutes for the rest of them to go pass. Enjoy!

pook, which oar position will you be in and on which boat... i want to have my zoom lense ready to snap you laboring... or should i just look for the oarsman with the champagne glass?

Me on a boat? No way sir - I can't swim!

Since I will be leaving on the 29th, I want to plan to see the rehearsal on the 25th. Will the boats travel the entire length of the procession and all of the boats take part so it will last 2+ hours? Would you recommend getting a table at a riverside restaurant, as Bob has done? OR, is this a short run just near the Royal barge museum?
Thank you so much

no public place near barge housing...its not really a museum.
places along the river are very limited.

pook, who swims in your pool then?

SusanneH - I have never been to the regular practices but IMO it should still held at the same time and for the same duration. The only thing that will be different will be that the oarsman will be in their navy t-shirts and slacks instead of the official palace uniforms. Also, I don't think there will be any of the old chanting and royal songs like during the real or dress rehearsal events.

SusanneH, the royal barge museum has little to do with the procession. The procession starts up-river near the Krung Ton bridge and comes down to Wat Arun. The museum is simply where some of the old barges are stored. The bulk of the 'fleet' is kept near the starting point.

My Thai friend has suggested a place called Venice. We will view practice Thursday 25th at 3pm.

Correction: 3:30 to 4:00. The practice is a half hour.

Please be aware that during the days of rehearsal mentioned above the express boat and all river traffic in the capital will cease operations from 11:00 AM until 6:30 PM.

Photos of the rehearsal taken on Friday Oct. 12th: http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=Barg...20%40N03&s=rec

Kalbozey - not all river traffic will ceased, only those that travel the same route as the procession. Apart from the Chao Praya river there are other rivers that flow though Bangkok and life goes on as normal. Even on the Chao Praya the boat traffic in the other areas of Bangkok goes on as normal.