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.