In short
- Wednesday, 28 October: departure from Rama VIII Bridge at 3pm.
- The procession ends at Wat Arun Ratchawararam.
- 52 royal barges, 2,200 navy crew, five columns 1,200 m long and 90 m wide.
- No ticket price announced; advance registration only for Nagaraphirom Park.
What to do
- 1Arrive in the early afternoon: the riverbanks fill up quickly.
- 2Take the MRT to Sanam Chai for Tha Tien and Tha Wat Pho, then a public bus for the other piers.
- 3Register in advance if you want to watch from Nagaraphirom Park.
- 4Check the Tourism Authority of Thailand's official channels before you set out.
What happens on 28 October?
The Tourism Authority of Thailand has invited the public to the final full dress rehearsal of the Royal Barge Procession, on Wednesday, 28 October. In its public notice, TAT says the boats leave Rama VIII Bridge at 3pm and arrive at Wat Arun Ratchawararam.
- 52 royal barges take part.
- 2,200 Royal Thai Navy personnel are on the crews.
- The boats sail in five columns, 1,200 metres long and 90 metres wide.
The rehearsal precedes the royal kathin robe offering at Wat Arun on Friday, 6 November, which His Majesty the King and Queen Suthida will attend, according to the same notice.
Where can you watch from?
TAT's public invitation lists viewing points on both banks of the Chao Phraya River.
| Bank | Viewing points |
|---|---|
| Thonburi | Under Rama VIII Bridge by the King Rama VIII Monument; the park at Chaloem Phra Kiat 72 Phansa, beside Siriraj Hospital; Wat Rakhang Kositaram pier; Wat Arun |
| Phra Nakhon | Santichaiprakan Park (by Phra Sumen Fort); Tha Maharaj; Tha Chang; Nagaraphirom Park (advance registration required) |
No ticket price is mentioned. The only formality is advance registration for Nagaraphirom Park; every other point on the list is open without booking, TAT says.
For photographs, the notice points to the area around Siriraj Hospital, Wat Arun, the Tha Tien bank facing Wat Arun across the water, Phra Pinklao Bridge and Wat Rakhang School for Girls.
How do you get there?
MRT Sanam Chai is the nearest station to Tha Tien and Tha Wat Pho. From there, public buses continue to Tha Maharaj, Tha Chang and Tha Phra Chan, and on to Santichaiprakan Park and the ground beneath Rama VIII Bridge. On the Thonburi side, buses from Bang Khun Non and Fai Chai MRT stations reach the park at Chaloem Phra Kiat 72 Phansa next to Siriraj Hospital, the Wang Lang pier and Wat Rakhang, according to TAT. Allow extra time: the banks fill up during the afternoon.
If you have a spare afternoon, our guide to things to do in Bangkok covers the temples and markets along the river. First visit to the country? The first-trip guide explains transport and timing. Landing this week? The Suvarnabhumi Airport guide sets out how to reach the city centre.
Travelling soon? Plan around it
Build a day-by-day Thailand route that keeps flexible days where the weather and transport are uncertain.
FAQ
Questions
Do I need a ticket?
TAT's invitation announces no ticket price. The only condition is advance registration for Nagaraphirom Park; the other listed points are open without booking.
Can I watch from Wat Arun?
Wat Arun appears both as a Thonburi viewing point and as the end of the route. Expect crowds and follow local instructions on the day.
What happens on 6 November?
According to TAT, the royal kathin robe offering takes place at Wat Arun on Friday, 6 November, with His Majesty the King and Queen Suthida attending.
Sources
We cross-check each story against official pages and several media, and rewrite it in our own words for travellers.
