When the Grand Royal Barge Procession departs Wasukri Pier, it will embark on a symbolic journey that glorifies His Majesty the King, exhibits the picturesque royal barges unseen anywhere in this world and celebrates the past and present glory of Thailand as a land of rich culture and tradition.

The royal barges' journey along the Chao Phya River will end at Rama I Bridge, where the statue of King Rama I is situated. As King Yodfa or Rama I is the great-great-great grandfather of His Majesty, the Royal Barge Procession will complete a full cycle by honouring the founder of Bangkok. King Yodfa established Bangkok in 1782.

Friday's rehearsal of the Royal Barge Procession was almost faultless in preparing for the June 12 performance, which will serve as the highlight of the celebrations for the 60th anniversary of His Majesty's accession to the throne. Emperors, kings, queens and royal representatives from almost 30 countries have been invited to witness this rare spectacle at the Royal Navy Conference Hall, which is located in the old compound of King Taksin the Great on the Thon Buri side of Bangkok.

The Royal Navy Conference Hall is a perfect place to watch the Royal Barge Procession go by, with the Grand Palace providing an elegant and majestic backdrop. As the royal barges proceed slowly past the eyes of the assembled royalty and representatives, they will look as if they are about to float to heaven and merge seamlessly with the Grand Palace, bathed in shiny gold. Nearby is the Temple of the Dawn with its momentous chedi, the first landmark that foreign visitors in the past saw when they travelled up to Bangkok. Nothing could be more picturesque and grandiose.

As mountain run-off carrying yellow mud from the North is flowing down the Chao Phya, the current is pretty strong for this stage of the rainy season. This should help ease the strain on the muscles of the 2,200 oarsmen paddling the 52 royal barges. Hopefully, Phra Sayam Thevathiraj, the God of the City of Angels, will come to the rescue again by calming the weather and allowing the Royal Barge Procession to venture forth with fanfare.

The Royal Barge Procession will glide over the Chao Phya at a proper tempo, neither too fast nor too slow. The four royal barges are Suphannahongse, Narai Song Suban HM King Rama IX, Anantanakharaj and Anekachart Phuchong.

Suphannahongse, which hearkens back to 1548 in the Ayutthaya period, has an elegant swan as its figurehead. The premier royal barge befits the regal status of the King of Thailand. The four royal barges will be escorted by other barges forming five rows stretching for 1,200 metres.

The other barges feature beautiful bright colours - gold, silver, red, blue, green, pink and white among them - and decorations of mythical beasts and characters from the Ramayana, such as Asura Vayuphak, Pali Rang Thaveep, Krabi Ran Ron Rap, Krut Tret Traichak and Krut Hern Het.

Another equally important element of the Royal Barge Procession is the chanting of barge songs. In ancient times, barge songs were intoned to relax the oarsmen and give pleasure to the Ayutthaya kings and their entourages when they travelled to the Buddha's Footprint in Saraburi to take part in the Royal Kathin Ceremony.

The barge songs were composed in the old khap yani style. The khap yani usually followed a strict form, beginning with khlong si suphap as an overture before proceeding to the poetic body with the klon format. The rhyming of the khap yani must be perfectly executed to render the greatest poetic experience.

Prince Thammathibes (1715-1755), who was a Prince of the Front Palace during the rule of King Boromkot, composed a barge masterpiece that set a fresh standard for the Thai language and Thai poetry. His barge song is known as Prince Kung's Barge Song.

Samadhachai and Krai Kab Kaew,

Scintillating on the water,

Go along side by side

As if they had descended from heaven.

Golden Hansa with pendant

Delicately rests on the water,

Like the bird carriage of the Great Brahma,

Gorgeously making its way.

Victory barge is swift-winged,

Flitting by like the wind;

Rhythmic pole accelerates,

The poop lowers with a forward thrust.

(Translation by Montri Umavijani)

Navy Squadron-Leader Thongyoi Saengsinchai has composed a barge song in three parts for this particular occasion. The first part covers the glorification of His Majesty and his virtuous deeds for Thailand. The second part depicts the beauty of the royal barges. And the third part will go at full length to describe the long history of Thailand dating back to the Sukhothai period and how the Kingdom has evolved to become a great nation today.

Thanong Khanthong

 The Nation