Rare royal barge procession to sail Bangkok river on Nov. 6

Bangkok is preparing for a rare Royal Barge Procession on Nov. 6, with 52 ornate vessels carrying King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Queen Suthida and other royals along the Chao Phraya River to Wat Arun for the Buddhist Kathin robe-offering ceremony. About 2,200 Royal Thai Navy oarsmen have trained for months to row in precise formation and perform traditional boat songs, while officials have restored and inspected the barges. The procession is a centuries-old tradition reserved for significant royal occasions, and its route is expected to affect regular river transportation.