HM on board as royal barge procession gets under way
The royal barge procession for HM King Rama X to celebrate his coronation began on schedule on Thursday (December 12). Both Thais and foreigners have been waiting for months to witness this spectacular event.
King Rama X and the Royal Family arrived at Wasukri Pier and boarded the vessel for the royal barge procession at 4pm.
His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua, Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana, and His Royal Highness Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti entered the royal barge Suphannahong, which was manned by 50 oarsmen with two steersmen, two officers, one standard bearer, one signalman, seven Royal Chatra bearers and one chanter to sing the traditional boat song with the oarsmen chanting in unison.
Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati and Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya were onboard the royal barge Anekkachatphutchong.
The royal officials invited Phra Buddha Patima Chaiwat, a Buddha image from the reign of King Rama IX, to be enshrined in the middle of the barge, a tiered roofed shrine on the royal barge Anantanakkharat.
The royal barge procession departed Wasukri Pier to Ratchaworadit Pier where the land procession to be held.
HM the King then rode in the royal palanquin in the small royal land procession on Maha Rat Road. The procession turned right to Phra Lan Road, and it turned right again to the Grand Palace through Vises Jayasri Gate. Meanwhile, Her Majesty Queen Suthida also participated in the land procession as the King's Guard.
After arriving at the Grand Palace, His Majesty changed his royal attire and robe and then returned to Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall by car.
