Bangkok: The Royal Thai Navy held a ceremony to pay homage and offer sacrifices to the guardian spirit of the royal barges. The ceremony was conducted as a preparatory ritual for the upcoming royal barge procession associated with His Majesty the King's Kathina robe presentation ceremony, scheduled for 2026.
According to Thai News Agency, the event was presided over by Admiral Pairoj Fuengchan, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy, at the National Museum of Royal Barges. This significant ceremony was held in anticipation of the Royal Barge Procession, which will also commemorate Her Majesty Queen Sirikit's 4th Cycle Birthday Anniversary on June 3, 2026. The ceremony encompassed homage to the guardian spirits of the land, a Buddhist ritual, and offering sacrifices to the guardian spirits of the royal barges to ensure auspiciousness before the launch.
The royal barges involved in this ceremony included eight vessels: four royal barges - the Suphannahong, Anantanagaraj, Narai Song Suban (from the reign of King Rama IX), and Anekchat Phuchong - along with four animal-shaped barges: Ekachai Heenhao, Krut Heenhet, Krabi Prab Mueang Mar, and Asuravayuphak. The event's rituals included reciting incantations, performing a Buddhist ceremony, lighting incense and candles, receiving precepts, and listening to chants. The Commander-in-Chief then blessed the ships, applied gold leaf, tied colored cloths, hung garlands, and scattered rice grains and flowers to appease the guardian spirit of the ships. The ceremony concluded with a traditional Thai blessing dance performed by the Department of Fine Arts.
The homage to the guardian spirits of the land is a traditional practice to honor sacred entities believed to protect the area, while the sacrifices offered to the guardian spirit of the boats are intended to safeguard those on duty and avert danger. This ancient tradition is believed to bring good fortune and boost the morale of the crew before the boats are put into service.
The Royal Thai Navy, along with the Royal Household and the Fine Arts Department, has received royal permission to participate in the restoration of the royal barges and the preparation of various aspects, including training the oarsmen, repairing the boats, and preparing piers for the procession.
For the upcoming Royal Barge Procession, rehearsals are planned, with 10 smaller practices from August to October 2026, starting on August 17th. These will be followed by two full-scale rehearsals at the end of October, with the actual ceremony set for November 6th, 2026.