The royal barge procession will take place on November 6, 2026, for the royal Kathin ceremony at Wat Arun Ratchawararam, as part of the celebrations for Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalakshana's 48th birthday on June 3, 2026. During the ceremony, His Majesty the King will present Kathin robes to Buddhist monks in honor of Her Majesty.

The centuries-old royal barge procession, reserved for significant royal and religious occasions, is a living expression of Thailand's royal heritage. This tradition combines ceremonial protocol, seamanship, and exquisite craftsmanship preserved through generations and continues to hold an important place in the kingdom's royal ceremonial heritage.

The Royal Kathin Ceremony is an annual Buddhist merit ceremony held after the end of the Buddhist Lent, during which monks are presented with robes and other offerings. When performed by the monarch, it becomes the Royal Kathin Ceremony, uniting Thailand's royal and Buddhist traditions in one of the kingdom's most important ceremonies.

For the 2026 Royal Barge Procession, 52 royal barges, crewed by 2,200 members of the Royal Thai Navy, will be arranged in five columns and three rows. The procession will be approximately 1,280 meters long and 90 meters wide. The fleet will consist of four main barges: Suphannahong (Golden Swan), Anantanakkharat (Many-Headed Naga), Narai Song Suban (King Rama IX), and Anekkachatphutchong (Countless Naga Figures).

Further details about the event can be found here: https://www.tatnews.org/2026/08/thailand-invites-visitors-to-witness-the-royal-barge-procession-2026-and-rehearsals-on-bangkoks-chao-phraya-river/