Royal barge fleet ready in time for 'kathin' ceremony

[Big Boy]

It'll be live on Thai TV - should be viewable with a VPN. I will try to post details nearer the day.

[pharvey]

Thanks.

[PeteC]

Viewing areas for Tuesday's Royal Barge Procession rehearsal

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... -rehearsal

......The rehearsal will start at 3pm and the city has prepared viewing areas for the public with mobile restroom facilities at the following locations:

Under Rama VIII Bridge (Thon Buri side), 4,000 seats

Santichaiprakarn Park with 1,500 seats

Thammasat University, Tha Prachan, 1,130 seats

Chalermprakiat 72nd Birthday Park, 1,100 seats

Siriraj Hospital (Sathan Phimuk Garden), 100 seats

[Big Boy]

Or my hotel balcony - 2 seats

[PeteC]

I've read that the practice was more or less rained out yesterday afternoon, with a mini-version to be attempted again today. Unfortunate for all the people who attended as the photos looked like everyone was soaked.

They were calling it some kind of "rain bomb" that hit the river area.

Here's the story:

https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/202 ... or-oct-24/

[Big Boy]

I was there, but stayed dry. Full report and photos later.

Great fun, but the rain was too much for the barges. They were bailing out the Royal Barge Anantanakarat using their ceremonial headgear right beneath my vantage point - I have a short video of that

A little disappointing seeing silhouettes instead of the full pomp and ceremony, but I took plenty of photos before and after the procession. A thoroughly enjoyable experience - my choice of hotel could not have been better.

[Big Boy]

It'll be live on Thai TV - should be viewable with a VPN. I will try to post details nearer the day.

Sorry, I can't find any details yet, and I will be back on the road from 2am tomorrow. I would expect it to be broadcast on multiple channels. Hopefully one of the other guys can post the information.

I should be home briefly on Sunday, but will most likely forget whist preparing to travel again.

[huahinjim]

Close to Wat Arun is the Royal Barges National Museum (80/1 Arun Amarin Road, Bangkok Noi, Bangkok 10700).
Well worth a visit to see some of the older barges . Small entry fee.

[Big Boy]

pharvey, the best I can find is:

The royal procession will be broadcast live on national television through the Television Pool of Thailand starting at 2:30 p.m. on October 27.

What I think that means is the ceremony will cut in and broadcast on every mainstream Thai TV Channel live, whether you want to watch or not.

[Big Boy]

I've checked the schedules for the mainstream channels, and can confirm the ceremony will be broadcast on most from 14:30 to 18:00 today (I think UK clocks changed last night, so please adjust accordingly). Thai channel 3 looks as good as any. It should be a good event.

[Big Boy]

This video may help

[Big Boy]

Hmmm......... maybe the dress rehearsal I watched was very apt. I've just checked Accuweather, and there are thunderstorms forecast for 2pm, 4pm and 5pm

[PeteC]

Hmmm......... maybe the dress rehearsal I watched was very apt. I've just checked Accuweather, and there are thunderstorms forecast for 2pm, 4pm and 5pm

That tropical storm Trami is just about here per below. ( Thailand far left of screen) Depends when and where it hits.

https://www.ospo.noaa.gov/dml/jma/nhem/wpac/rb.html

[Big Boy]

As suspected, crowds are massive - must be 30 deep in places. Those at the back won't see much. Just light rain at the moment.

They're just showing the work that has gone into readying these boats. It must have cost billions - absolutely fantastic.

I note originally it was advertised as 74 barges. Only 52 are making it to the starting line. Just under 2,200 oarsmen.

[Big Boy]

This is an OK video pharvey