Dragon boat parade held on Thailand's Chao Phraya River to celebrate Queen's birthday

China News Service, Bangkok, November 6 (Wang Qi, Liang Junxiang, Li Yingmin) On the Chao Phraya River, a gorgeously decorated dragon boat moved forward slowly under the setting sun. The golden mythical beast carved on the bow shone brightly, and naval officers and soldiers in traditional costumes rowed in neat rows. On the 6th, a Thai dragon boat parade was held on the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok.

On the afternoon of the same day, Thailand’s King Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida went to Wat Arun (Temple Arun) to attend the royal cassock-giving ceremony to celebrate the Queen’s 48th birthday. Later, a dragon boat parade was held on the Chao Phraya River.

According to the Public Relations Department of the Prime Minister's Office of Thailand, the parade departed from Wasukri Pier, passed through Rama VIII Bridge, and headed to Wat Arun on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, a journey of about 3.9 kilometers.

A total of 52 dragon boats participated in this parade, and about 2,200 Thai naval officers and soldiers were responsible for manning the oars. The fleet is organized into five rows according to traditional etiquette. The uniform rowing movements and the rigorous marching formation of the fleet show the unique sense of ceremony of the cruise.

The reporter saw at the scene that the hulls of various dragon boats were beautifully decorated, with golden carvings, red boat awnings and traditional patterns complementing each other. Officers and soldiers in different queues, dressed in traditional ceremonial clothing such as red, blue and green, rowed in accordance with a unified rhythm, forming a unique cultural landscape on the Chao Phraya River. On both sides of the river, many people stopped to watch. The iconic pagoda of Wat Arun and the fleet of cruising boats contrasted with each other.

The dragon boat parade is a long-standing royal water ceremonial activity in Thailand, usually associated with important royal ceremonies and Buddhist rituals. It not only displays Thailand’s traditional shipbuilding craftsmanship, carving art and water ceremonial culture, but also reflects the important role of the Chao Phraya River in Thailand’s historical development and urban life. According to the National Tourism Administration of Thailand, the event has also attracted tourists from all over the world and has become Thailand’s tourism business card.