The Thai Navy has started the royal barge procession rehearsals for the royal kathin ceremony which will take place on 9th November 2012. The procession will start from Rama VIII Bridge (Vasukri Pier) and go down the Chao Phraya River to Wat Arun Ratchawararam, or Temple of Dawn, in the ceremony marking the end of Buddhist Lent. The procession will take place between 3pm and 5pm on 9th November. A fleet of 52 traditional barges and 2,200 oarsmen will participate in the procession. Eight small rehearsals will be carried out from 21st September to 29th October and two grand rehearsals on 2nd November and 6th November.
FULL SCHEDULE OF REHEARSALS:
- Friday, September 21, 2012
- Thursday 27 September, 2012
- Thursday, October 4, 2012
- Monday 8 October 2012
- Friday, October 12, 2012
- Friday, October 19, 2012
- Thursday, October 25, 2012
- Monday, October 29, 2012
- Friday 2 November 2012 (Dress Rehearsal)
- Tuesday, November 6, 2012 (Dress Rehearsal)
- Friday, November 9, 2012 (Final Event)
All dates are subject to change. Information from Bangkok Post and the Bangkok Tourism Division
Hey, It seems to be a grand procession. Can I have some idea about what this procession is bout?
It is part of the Tod Kathin Festival where robes are presented to monks at the end of the 3-month long Buddhist lent.
Where will the best locations be for photographers and how can I go about securing a spot?
No details have been released yet for the actual event in November. Though I know that some hotels and restaurants will organize special activities. During the rehearsals leading up to the event, you should find it easier to find a spot to watch. Probably the best viewpoint is one of the parks along the river. You won’t be able to see from a boat as they stop running during rehearsals. I will do some research on this and do another blog later.
A few years ago I scouted a magnificent spot on the roof of a friend’s apartment building just north of Banglamphu. Turns out the Navy thought it was pretty good too as on they day they’d set up a control post there and chased my and my tripod away.
There is a new riverside park at Siriraj Hospital which affords a good view of the barges arriving under Pinklao bridge and passing by down to Wat Arun. there is also a dock you can stand on for a closer view if there isn’t a gunboat moored there. Good for the rehearsals, but I’d expect it to be crowded on the actual day.
Once the barges have passed on a rehearsal day you have plenty of time to take a taxi or even walk down to Wat Arun and take pictures of the barges moored there and marshalling to be towed back upstream. Again probably not viable on the actual day due to crowds.
Thanks for the tips
please richard be so gentle tell me the name of the park where i can to see the barges training on next 27 september afternoon, thank you.
At the end of the route there is a river side park opposite Wat Arun. It is next to the pier for The Reclining Buddha. Phra Sumen Fort, just north of the Grand Palace, also has a riverside park.
The park’s name is Nakarapirom Park, besides the river. Another park nearby is Suan Santi Chaiprakarn, on Phra Athit Road, at the Phra Athit Pier. Other spots like in the Thammasart University’s promenade is a very good site to stop for shooting. Just survey and choose before the real day and on that day you should reserve the area at the early morning!
Does anyone know what time the procession rehearsals in November will start?
Should be the same, at 3 p.m.