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From the establishment of the House of Chakri in 1782 to the reign of His Majesty King Prajadhipok
(1925 – 1934), Thai monarchs had travelled in royal barge processions as part of royal ceremonies such as
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the Coronation and the Kathina Ceremony at Wat Arun or the Temple of Dawn. However, since the 150
anniversary of the establishment of Bangkok in 1932, the procession became absent for 25 years due to
the Second World War that left several barges severely damaged by air bombings. This was because they were
docked near Bangkok Noi train station, a strategic military target.

In 1957, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great revived this centuries-old practice on the auspicious
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occasion of the 25 century anniversary of the Buddhist Era. The first barge procession in this reign, called
“Buddha’s Barge Procession,” was arranged to convey a Buddha image, a tripitaka (Buddhist scripture) and
monks along the Chao Phraya River. They are the symbolic triple gems of Buddhism. From then on, several barges
were restored using the original prow and stern. The most recent creation of a barge was in 1994 when
Narai Songsuban H.M. King Rama IX Royal Barge was added to the fleet.

Since its revival in 1957, royal barge processions became part of royal ceremonies on important
national milestones such as the Bicentennial Celebration of Rattanakosin and the House of Chakri in 1982 and
the Golden Jubilee of the Accession to the Throne of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great in
1996. Besides the Buddha’s Barge Procession in 1957, there were only two other occasions when the royal barge
procession was not organised for a royal journey but rather to showcase its grace and glory in the presence of
foreign dignitaries. The first one was in 2003 when Thailand hosted the APEC Summit, while the second time
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was in 2006 during the 60 Anniversary of the Accession to the Throne of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej
The Great.

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