Royal Barge rehearsals begin ahead of November 6 ceremony
Ten rehearsals and two full-dress rehearsals will precede the Royal Barge Procession to Wat Arun on November 6
- Rehearsals for the 2026 Royal Barge Procession began on August 17 on Bangkok's Chao Phraya River.
- A total of 12 practice sessions, including two full-dress rehearsals, are scheduled between August and October ahead of the main ceremony on November 6.
- The procession will feature 52 ceremonial vessels and over 2,200 personnel from the Royal Thai Navy.
- The event is part of the annual royal Kathin ceremony and also marks Her Majesty the Queen’s fourth-cycle birthday anniversary.
- Members of the public can watch the rehearsals from designated viewing locations along the riverbanks.
Rehearsals for Thailand’s 2026 Royal Barge Procession began on the Chao Phraya River on Monday (August 17), opening a programme of 12 practice sessions before the royal ceremony on November 6.
Ten rehearsals will be conducted between August 17 and October 15, followed by two full-dress rehearsals on October 21 and 28.
The procession will form part of the royal journey to Wat Arun Ratchawararam for the annual royal Kathin robe-offering ceremony.
The occasion also marks Her Majesty the Queen’s fourth-cycle birthday anniversary on June 3, 2026.
The Royal Thai Navy has prepared 52 ceremonial vessels and more than 2,200 personnel for the procession.
Ten rehearsals scheduled before October
The rehearsal dates are:
- August 17
- August 20
- August 27
- September 3
- September 8
- September 17
- September 23
- October 2
- October 8
- October 15
Two full-dress rehearsals will follow:
- October 21
- October 28
The Royal Barge Procession and royal Kathin ceremony will take place on November 6.
Public viewing available along both riverbanks
Members of the public and tourists may watch the rehearsals from both sides of the Chao Phraya River between Rama VIII Bridge and Wat Arun.
The rehearsals are expected to begin at about 2.30pm.
Suggested viewing locations include:
- Rama VIII Park
- Santichaiprakarn Park
- 72nd Anniversary Commemoration Park beside Siriraj Hospital
- Thammasat University’s Tha Prachan campus
- Tha Maharaj
- Royal Thai Navy Club
- Wat Rakhang Khositaram
- Royal Thai Naval Institute
- Niwet Woradit Pier
- Tha Tien
The published rehearsal route runs from the area around Rama VIII Bridge to Wat Arun Ratchawararam.
