Royal Thai Navy Opens Free Seating for Barge Procession
The Royal Thai Navy is offering free reserved seating to watch the Royal Barge Procession along the Chao Phraya River on October 21 and 28, 2026, and the official ceremony on November 6. Registration by phone opens September 8, with tickets
Free public registration to watch the Royal Barge ProcessionLegacyThe Royal Thai Navy is inviting the public to reserve free riverside seats to watch this year’s Royal Barge Procession along the Chao Phraya River across three key dates. Seating is available for two full-dress rehearsals on 21 and 28 October 2026, as well as the official procession on Friday, 6 November 2026. Why the procession is taking place The Royal Barge Procession will accompany His Majesty the King on his river journey to present the Royal Kathin robes at Wat Arun Ratchawararam. The ceremony marks Her Majesty Queen Suthida’s 48th birthday (her 4th cycle anniversary), which fell on 3 June 2026. The rare spectacle features a 52-barge fleet manned by roughly 2,200 navy oarsmen. Arranged in five columns and three rows, the formation spans about 1,280 meters long and 90 meters wide, traveling downriver from Rama VIII Bridge to Wat Arun. Designated viewing areas
Royal Thai Navy Club (Ratchanawi Samoson) Thatsanaphirom Lawn at the Royal Thai Navy Convention Hall Ratcha Navik Sapha Building (available on rehearsal dates only)
Each person may claim up to two tickets for one date only, so attendees should decide in advance whether they prefer a rehearsal or the official ceremony. How to register Registration follows an offline, two-step process: Reserve by phone: Call 098-279-0903 or 098-279-0914 between 8 and 16 September 2026 (8.30am – 4.30pm, excluding public holidays). Collect tickets in person: Pick up physical tickets at the Naval Civil Affairs Department (Room Por Sor Bor Tor Ror, 1st floor, new building), No. 2 Arun Amarin Road, Bangkok Noi, between 21 and 25 September 2026 (8.30am – 4.30pm). Watching without a ticket If assigned seats fill up, spectators can still view the fleet from public vantage points along both banks of the river, stretching roughly between Krung Thon Bridge and Wat Arun. Popular walk-in spots include Santichai Prakan Park, the Chalermphrakiat 72nd Anniversary Park next to Siriraj Hospital, Tha Maharaj, and Tha Chang. Rehearsals typically start at around 2.30pm. Related news
Siam Yacht Club launches a new à la carte menu that tells Bangkok’s river story through food Queen Suthida trains for solo Gripen fighter jet flight Chao Phraya water warning for 7 provinces as levels rise
Sources
Royal Thai Navy
The story Free public registration to watch the Royal Barge Procession as seen on Thaiger News.
