Royal Barge Processions in the Ninth Reign (10/9/2019)
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Royal Barge Processions in the Ninth Reign (10/9/2019) Following the year 1932, the tradition of arranging the Royal Barge Procession was suspended, since King Prajadhipok (Rama VII) was not residing in the country. After a break of almost 30 years, it was reintroduced in the reign of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX). th The barge procession in the Ninth Reign began in 1957, when Thailand celebrated the 25 century of Buddhism. The King did not travel in this procession, but he commanded that ceremonial barges carry a Buddha image, the Buddhist Scriptures, and monks along the Chao Phraya River. Later, in 1959, King Bhumibol had the Royal Barge Procession arranged for his journey to perform the Royal Kathin Ceremony at Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn). Royal ceremonial barges were repaired for this occasion. It was the revival of the Royal Barge Procession for the Royal Kathin Ceremony. In 1982, on the occasion of the Bicentenary of Bangkok as the capital of Thailand, the Royal Barge Procession was held to cap the celebrations of the city. The formation of the Royal Barge Procession for the Bangkok Bicentennial Celebrations was changed from the ancient formation, and it has become the pattern of the Royal Barge Processions up to the present. King Bhumibol and members of the Royal Family also traveled in this procession. 2/10/2021 Page 1 กรมประชาสัมพันธ์ Five years later, on 16 October 1987, a major Royal Barge Procession was arranged for the King, in order that he could perform the Royal Kathin Ceremony at Wat Arun. A grand Royal Barge Procession took place on 7 November 1996, when the King performed the Royal th Kathin Ceremony as an event in commemoration of the 50 anniversary of his accession to the throne. The Royal Barge Narai Song Suban, King Rama IX, was built for this special occasion. In 2003 when Thailand hosted the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, a grand royal barge procession was performed for APEC attendees to view. It was held at night for the first time. th In celebrating the 60 anniversary of King Rama IXs accession to the throne in 2006, the Royal Barge Procession was held for visiting foreign monarchs and royalties to view. Some other Royal Barge Processions in the Ninth Reign were also arranged on special occasions, most of them linked to the Royal Kathin Ceremony. 2/10/2021 Page 2 กรมประชาสัมพันธ์.