Thai Royal Barge procession brings tears of pride to Thais around the world
The King of Thailand is so revered, admired and loved by all Thais he is almost considered like a demi-god for such goodness in a man is a sign of divine blessing.
Many Thais wept openly as the golden barges glided through the Menam Chao Phraya as this event is so rare as it is not an annual event. In fact, throughout the King of Thailand's 84 year reign, it has been held only 16 times. It was supposed to be held last year but was postponed to this year due to the terrible flooding. Many Thais believe the floods were a result of disrespect to the Earth Goddess whose statues are everywhere in Thailand, showing her in the process of wringing her long tresses. It is said the Earth Goddess simply wrung the water from her hair, thus releasing torrents of flood waters as during the political turmoil, some Thais poured blood on her statues in the provinces' rice fields, thus incurring her wrath.
Water, as we know, is both a source of life and death if there is too much of it. Water symbolises wealth and also destruction as proven by Superstorm Sandy. Bangkok became a major city due to the canals as it was called Venice of the Easy but today almost all the canals have been filled to build roads and houses.
Thais remember their beloved King in a Bangkok hospital as the golden royal barges are his possessions. As they watched the stunning spectacle that put Queen Elizabeth II's barge to shame, many Thais sent prayers of good health to King Bhumibol adnd openly wept tears of joy he was still reigning over them.
The Golden barges shaped like swans and mythical sea creatures glided down the Chao Phraya river that winds through the Thai capital of Bangkok on Friday in a 700-year-old ceremony, with more than 2,000 rowers taking part.
Camera shutters clicked in cacophonic discordance, tourists gasped wide mouthed in awe and tens of thousands of Thais turned out once again to marvel at the majestic spectacle of the royal barge procession along the Chao Phraya River. Every square inch and vantage point were packed as the colourful and noisy ceremony displayed the country’s strong cultural and emotional attachment to the royal institution.
The Royal Barge Procession, held for the first time in five years and presided over by Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, emphasizes 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.
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, also with the crown prince presiding. King Bhumibol has been in hospital recovering from an illness since September 2009 and watched from television.
Last year, Thailand was hit by its worst floods in half a century, with water submerging entire towns and villages, forcing the event’s cancellation.
As the barges made their one hour journey down the river, 2,200 oarsmen dressed in ornate costumes – Thai navy sailors in reality – rowed in synchronized movements to the sound of chanting, passing iconic landmarks such as Wat Arun, the porcelain-encrusted Temple of Dawn.
Thais all over the world stopped to watch this cultural extravaganza that has brought so much pride to the land and people. Many tourists from neighbouring nations were heard to sigh and lament and wish they too had such magnificent boats. A dragon boat competing in races is a poor cousin to the Thais' gilded, golden and glorious barges!
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