Model of royal barge Suphannahong

A gift from the embassy of the Kingdom of Thailand, granted by Ambassador Sansanee Sahussarungsi, on April 4th 2019.

On the 4th of May 2019, Rama X Maha Vajiralongkorn of the Chakri dynasty was crowned as the King of Thailand. This was an important moment, as the father of the newly crowned king, Rama IX, reigned an exceptionally long time, more than 70 years. Most of Thais alive today had not yet seen the long and magnificent coronation ceremonies.

They had begun after the end of the grieving period which followed the death of the previous monarch. However, even though their culmination fell on the first days of May, various following ceremonies are tied to it as well. One of those will be a procession of royal barges on the Chao Phraya river, which flows through Bangkok, planned for the end of the year. Such processions are organized for various occasions, however the coronation is likely to be exceptionally important. Beautifully decorated vessels will take part in it, built according to centuries-old tradition, which are usually kept in a special museum.

The name Suphannahong relates to a golden bird from Thai mythology. Its head decorates the bow of the most important royal barge, which is constructed from a colossal trunk of teak wood, painted with golden meadow, and incrusted with imitations of gems. The rowers, dressed in red, are rowing along to songs and the beating of a drum. Below the umbel of this barge, only the king and his closest family are allowed to sit. The current Suphannahong dates back to 1911.