The King and Queen performed merit-making by offering Kathin robes in a royal barge procession.

His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen performed the royal merit-making ceremony by offering Kathin robes by royal barge procession at Wat Arun Ratchawararam. Today (27 October 2024) at 3:14 p.m., His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen traveled by royal vehicle from Amphorn Sathan Throne Hall, Dusit Palace, to Wasukri Pier to board the Suphannahong Royal Barge for the Royal Kathin Ceremony 2024 by Royal Barge Procession at Wat Arun Ratchawararam, Bangkok Yai District, Bangkok. On this occasion, Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya and Her Royal Highness Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti Maha Vajirottama Sirivibulya Rajakumar also attended the event. When His Majesty arrived at Tha Wasukri Pier, the honor guard paid their respects and the band played the Royal Anthem. Prime Minister Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra, President of the National Assembly Mr. Wan Muhammad Nor Matha and Supreme Court President Ms. Chanakan Thiravetpolkul were present to welcome His Majesty. Then, Th eir Majesties the King and the Queen proceeded with Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya and His Royal Highness Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti to the Suphannahong Royal Barge Pier Bridge. Privy Councilors and senior officials welcomed them. Afterwards, they granted an audience to Admiral Chiraphol Wongwit, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy and Commander of the Royal Barge Procession, who reported on the number of ships and personnel. After that, His Majesty proceeded to sit on the Suphannahong Royal Barge. The honor guard paid their respects and the band played the Royal Anthem. On this occasion, His Majesty graciously allowed Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya and His Royal Highness Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti to board the Royal Barge Anekchatphuchong. The boat captain struck the crowbarge and the oarsmen paid homage. Vice Admiral Sombat Juthanom, the commander of the Suphannahong Royal Barge, reported to His Majesty the King the number of oarsmen on the royal barge. Acting Captain Khomsan Srilong, the captain of the Suphannahong Royal Barge, requested permission to proceed with the royal barge procession by water. Air Chief Marshal Satitpong Sukwimol, Secretary-General to the Royal Palace, received the royal command and informed the captain of the Suphannahong Royal Barge to proceed with the royal barge procession by water. When the Royal Barge Suphannahong moved from Wasukri Pier to join the procession, the honor guard paid their respects, the band played the victory march, the officials played the trumpet, conch shells, horns, French trumpets, flutes, and the royal barge's troops played together. Then the Royal Barge Procession moved from Wasukri Pier along the Chao Phraya River to Wat Arun Ratchawararam Pier. His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen have faith and devotion to Buddhism. They have traveled to perform royal merit-making on important Buddhist days regularly. On the auspicious occasion of His Majesty the King's 6th Cycle Birthda y Anniversary on July 28, 2024, His Majesty the King has graciously ordered the Royal Barge Procession to perform royal merit-making by offering Kathin robes at Wat Arun Ratchawararam, Bangkok Yai District, Bangkok. This is a great opportunity for all subjects to pay homage to His Majesty to express their loyalty and offer blessings. They also get to enjoy the beauty of the Royal Barge Procession, following ancient royal traditions that are full of valuable science and art, which is evident to the eyes of both Thai and foreign people. The magnificent beauty of the royal barge procession has a long history and is held in an elegant manner befitting His Majesty. The Royal Barge Procession on the Auspicious Occasion of His Majesty the King's 6th Cycle Birthday Anniversary on 28 July 2024 consists of 52 royal barges arranged in 5 rows and 3 lines, with a length of 1,280 meters and a width of 90 meters. The total number of personnel on board the barges is 2,412. There are 4 royal barges, namely, Ananta Nakarat Ro yal Barge, which is the barge carrying the Kathin robe; Suphannahong Royal Barge, which is the residence of His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen; Anekchatphuchong Royal Barge, which is the residence of Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya and His Royal Highness Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti; and Narai Song Suban Royal Barge, King Rama IX, is the reserve royal barge. There are also other royal barges such as animal-shaped barges, Dang barges, and Saeng barges. When the Royal Barge Suphannahong docked at the pier in front of Wat Arun Ratchawararam, the captain of the boat sounded the clapper, the oarsmen paid respect, and the lone bugle (watermelon boat) blew a salute together. Then, His Majesty went up to the pier in front of Wat Arun Ratchawararam. The honor guard paid respect, the band played the Royal Anthem, and the commander of the Royal Barge Procession reported to His Majesty. General Snitchanok Sangkhachan, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defense, and Mr. Orsit Sampantharat, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, were present to welcome His Majesty. The Royal Barge Anekchatphuchong docked with the Royal Barge Suphannahong. Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya and His Royal Highness Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti Maha Vajirottamangkun Sirivibulya Rajakumarn traveled up the Chanuan Nam Bridge in front of Wat Arun Ratchawararam. Then, His Majesty proceeded to the Ubosot of Wat Arun Ratchawararam. His Majesty placed the monk's robe on the tray in front of the monk's seat. He lit incense and candles to worship Phra Phuttha Thammasorn Ratchalokthat Dilok, the principal Buddha image of the Ubosot. He lit incense and candles and offered small golden objects to pay homage to the royal ashes of His Majesty King Phutthaloetla Naphalai. He bowed. After that, he took the robe for the principal Buddha image and gave it to the royal cloth officer. Then, the officials of the Department of Religious Affairs reported the number of monks. When finish ed, His Majesty picked up the robe from the tray and draped it between his arms. He recited the words of offering the Kathina robe. He placed the robe on the tray as before. Then, he presented the robe and the Patimokkha candle to the second monk. The monks performed the Kathina ceremony. When the monks who were wearing the Kathina robes had finished wearing them, His Majesty the King graciously ordered His Royal Highness Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti to go present the Kathina robes to the monks who were wearing them. His Majesty the King then poured water on the alms bowl, the monks offered blessings and made offerings. After that, His Majesty granted an audience to Mr. Kiatwisut Petchmuenwai, Director of Bang Kho Lae District, to present to His Majesty the King the opportunity to invite the faithful to donate money to be present at His Majesty's feet to receive souvenirs. Then, His Majesty proceeded to pay homage in front of the altar and bid farewell to the monks. On this occasion, the abbot of Wat Arun R atchawararam presented a 9-inch gold and silver replica of the Buddha Nimit to His Majesty the King, a 7-inch gold and silver replica of the Buddha Nimit to Her Majesty the Queen, and a 3.5-inch gold and silver replica of the Buddha Nimit to Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya and His Royal Highness Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti. After that, His Majesty received the respects of the audience and proceeded to the front porch of the chapel. He lit incense sticks and candles and offered a small golden offering to Phra Phutthanimit, the Buddha image in the royal robe of His Majesty King Phutthaloetla Naphalai. He paid his respects. After that, His Majesty proceeded to lay a wreath and lit incense sticks and candles and offered a small golden offering to pay homage to the royal monument of His Majesty King Phutthaloetla Naphalai. He paid his respects and proceeded to get into the royal car and proceeded back. Source: Thai News Agency