Golden barges shaped like swans and mythical sea creatures glided down the Chao Phraya River that winds through Bangkok on Friday in a 700-year-old ceremony, with more than 2,000 rowers taking part.
The royal barge procession, held for the first time in five years and presided over by Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, emphasises the importance of water to the people of Thailand.
Water has historically been a lifeline for Thais and expressions such as nam jai, which translates as “water of the heart” or “kindness”, highlight this.
“Tears roll down my eyes when I watch the procession because it really is something extraordinary to behold,” said Kanjana Kamsongsee, 59, a hospital administrator who watched.
The ancient procession, featuring 52 exquisitely crafted golden barges draped with strings of jasmine, was revived by Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1960 after a lapse of several decades and takes place at the end of Buddhist Lent, with robes presented to Buddhist monks as part of the event.
It was last held in 2007 to celebrate the king’s 80th birthday, with the crown prince presiding as he also did on Friday. King Bhumibol has been in hospital recovering from an illness since September 2009.