Bangkok's Royal Barge Procession sails on 6 November: where to watch it free

What happens on 6 November

• The occasion: the Royal Kathin Ceremony at Wat Arun, where His Majesty the King presents robes to monks at the end of Buddhist Lent. This year it also marks Her Majesty Queen Suthida’s 48th birthday anniversary.
• The fleet: 52 royal barges rowed by 2,200 Royal Thai Navy crew, in five columns. The formation is about 1,280 metres long and 90 metres wide.
• The barges to look for: Suphannahong, the golden swan that carries Their Majesties, plus Anantanakkharat, Narai Song Suban King Rama IX and Anekkachatphutchong.
• Start time: Suphannahong leaves Wasukri Pier at about 15:00, passes under Rama VIII Bridge and heads 3.9 km south to Wat Arun.
• The route: Phra Sumen Fort, Somdet Phra Pinklao Bridge, Siriraj Hospital, the Grand Palace and the Royal Thai Navy Auditorium, then Wat Arun.
• Why it matters: the procession only sails for major royal ceremonies, so it does not happen every year.

Where to watch for free

• Who can watch: anyone. TAT invites the public and visitors to watch from both banks between Krung Thon Bridge and Wat Arun, with no ticket and no fee.
• Old town bank: Santichaiprakan Park by Phra Sumen Fort, Tha Maharaj and Tha Chang all face the route.
• Thonburi bank: the riverside park by Siriraj Hospital and the pier area at Wat Rakhang.
• Wider or closer: upriver near Rama VIII Bridge you see more of the fleet at once. The Wat Arun end has the famous backdrop, and the biggest crowds.
• Reserved seats: the Navy’s free seats at the Royal Thai Navy Club and the Navy Convention Hall were handed out by phone and in person in September. That registration has closed.

River boats stop from noon

• The closed stretch: from 12:00 until the procession ends, no boats may pass between Krung Thon Bridge and Somdet Phra Pinklao Bridge, or on Khlong Bangkok Noi from its mouth to Wat Suwannaram.
• Chao Phraya Express and electric boats: they turn back short of the zone. Board at Phayap Pier or further north, or at Ratchawong Pier or further south.
• Cross-river ferries: on the August rehearsal days, the ferries from Tha Chang, Tha Maharaj and Tha Phra Chan, and the Wat Pho to Wat Arun crossing, stopped from noon. Expect the same on 6 November, and pick your bank before you set off.
• Take the MRT instead: on the Blue Line, Sanam Chai is the old town stop near Wat Pho. Itsaraphap is on the Thonburi side, about 1 km on foot from Wat Arun.

Before you go

• Arrive early: be on the bank by about 13:00. The best spots fill well before the barges move, and there is little shade.
• Dress politely: this is a royal and Buddhist ceremony. Cover shoulders and knees, as you would at a temple.
• Grand Palace: we found no posted closure for 6 November. Check the official Grand Palace schedule the day before, and keep sightseeing for the morning.
• Wat Arun: it hosts the ceremony itself, so save your visit for another day.
• Roads: expect closures around the old town in the afternoon. Bangkok’s traffic information line is 1197, and the TAT Contact Centre is 1672.

Back on the river from 13 November

• Vijit Chao Phraya 2026: TAT’s light festival runs 13 November to 13 December at 13 riverside sites between Rama III Bridge and Rama VIII Bridge, including Wat Arun and Memorial Bridge. It is free to watch from the banks.
• Not yet published: the nightly times and the dates for the drone and fireworks shows.
• Loy Krathong: the full moon festival falls on Tuesday 24 November. Dates and Chiang Mai rules are in our Loy Krathong 2026 story.