On Wednesday, September 23, 2026, I photographed the seventh minor rehearsal of the 2026 Royal Barge Procession as it made its way along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok.
The rehearsal is part of an extensive programme of preparations for the Royal Barge Procession, which will take place on November 6, 2026, when the procession will travel to Wat Arun Ratchawararam for the Royal Kathin ceremony.
The Royal Thai Navy is conducting 10 minor rehearsals and two major (full-dress) rehearsals between August and October. The rehearsals provide a rare opportunity to see the magnificent royal barges, their crews and the carefully choreographed formation moving together along the river.
The 2026 procession consists of 52 barges and approximately 2,200 personnel, arranged in five lines and three rows. Among the most recognisable vessels are the four principal royal barges: Suphannahong, Anantanakkharat, Narai Song Suban King Rama IX, and Anekkachatphutchong.
Date & Time
Seventh Minor Rehearsal
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
The procession began moving from the Rama VIII Bridge area at approximately 3:00 PM and proceeded south along the Chao Phraya River towards Wat Arun Ratchawararam.
For photographers and visitors, it is advisable to arrive considerably earlier than the scheduled start. Popular riverside locations can become busy, particularly where there is an unobstructed view of the river and an attractive Bangkok landmark in the background.
Route
The rehearsal follows the Chao Phraya River from the Rama VIII Bridge area towards Wat Arun.
Public viewing is possible along both banks of the river, broadly extending from the Krung Thon Bridge area to Wat Arun. The barges pass some of Bangkok’s most recognisable riverside landmarks, providing excellent opportunities for photography.
The route includes views of:
- Rama VIII Bridge
- The Chao Phraya riverfront
- Siriraj Hospital and the Thonburi riverbank
- Wat Rakhang Khositaram
- The Grand Palace area
- Tha Maharaj
- Tha Chang
- Wat Arun Ratchawararam
The procession itself is approximately 1,200–1,280 metres long and around 90 metres wide, making it particularly impressive when photographed from a distance where the complete formation can be seen.
Upcoming Rehearsals
There are three further minor rehearsals scheduled after the September 23 rehearsal:
Minor Rehearsals
- Friday, October 2, 2026
- Thursday, October 8, 2026
- Thursday, October 15, 2026
Major / Full-Dress Rehearsals
The two major full-dress rehearsals will take place on:
- Wednesday, October 21, 2026
- Wednesday, October 28, 2026
These are expected to provide the closest preview of the actual November procession, with the full ceremonial formation and a more complete presentation of the royal barges.
The actual Royal Barge Procession will take place on Friday, November 6, 2026.
Recommended Viewing Points
There are designated public viewing areas on both sides of the Chao Phraya River.
Thonburi Side
Under Rama VIII Bridge – King Rama VIII Monument
A good location for seeing the formation as it begins its journey, with the bridge providing a strong architectural backdrop.
72nd Anniversary Commemoration Park – beside Siriraj Hospital
A useful riverside location with a relatively open view of the river.
Wat Rakhang Khositaram Pier
An interesting location for photographers looking for a combination of the procession, river traffic and historic Bangkok architecture.
Wat Arun Ratchawararam
One of the most dramatic locations, particularly for photographs of the barges against the temple and its distinctive riverside architecture.
Bangkok / Phra Nakhon Side
Santichaiprakan Public Park – beside Phra Sumen Fort
A good choice farther upriver, particularly for wider views of the procession.
Tha Maharaj
A convenient riverside location with views towards the Thonburi side and the historic riverfront.
Tha Chang
Another useful location close to the Grand Palace area, offering opportunities to combine the procession with Bangkok’s historic riverside landscape.
These public viewing locations have been identified by the Royal Thai Navy and reported by Thai authorities and local media.
Photography Tips
For photographers, the rehearsals offer considerably more than a chance to photograph the royal barges themselves. The movement of the paddlers, ceremonial uniforms, synchronized rowing, river traffic and Bangkok’s historic architecture create opportunities for both documentary and detailed images.
A telephoto lens is useful for isolating individual barges, rowers and details, while a wider lens can capture the scale of the entire formation and its relationship with the Chao Phraya River.
The strongest photographs are likely to come from locations where the barges can be photographed against recognisable Bangkok landmarks such as Rama VIII Bridge, the Grand Palace area or Wat Arun.
For the October full-dress rehearsals and the November 6 procession, the Royal Thai Navy has also made designated seating areas available to the public through registration.
The Royal Barge Procession is one of Bangkok’s most visually distinctive ceremonial events, bringing together Thailand’s royal barges, naval traditions, river life and some of the city’s most recognisable landmarks. The remaining rehearsals provide several more opportunities to witness and photograph this remarkable spectacle before the main procession on November 6, 2026.