Thai king's 72nd birthday marked by royal barge parade

A magnificent royal barge procession marked Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn's 72nd birthday on Bangkok's Chao Phraya River. The spectacle featured 52 decorated vessels powered by over 2,000 oarsmen in scarlet and gold uniforms, with the King and Queen Suthida aboard the historic 'Golden Swan' barge.

The world's wealthiest monarch, worth an estimated £33 billion, traveled with the flotilla to Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) for a Buddhist ceremony marking the end of Buddhist Lent. Dressed in his naval uniform with medals and the traditional yellow royal sash, the King was accompanied by Queen Suthida, 46, who wore a traditional navy dress with sapphire and diamond jewelry.

Only two of the King's seven children attended: Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana, 37, and Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, 19. Thousands of well-wishers gathered along the riverbanks to witness the rare ceremony, which features boats adorned with mythical creatures from Buddhist and Hindu mythology.

The procession, dating back to Thailand's Ayutthaya period (1350-1767), is reserved for the most significant royal occasions. During the previous King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 70-year reign, only 16 such processions took place. This celebration holds special significance as it marks King Vajiralongkorn's completion of his "sixth cycle" in the 12-year astrological calendar, considered an auspicious milestone in Thai culture.

The ornate barges, typically housed in a museum, were last deployed for the King's coronation in 2019. Four of the vessels are designated as "royal barges," while the others serve as royal escort vessels. The navy oarsmen, dressed in traditional sarongs and red tunics, coordinated their golden paddles to the rhythm of drums as they guided the procession through Bangkok's waterways, continuing a centuries-old tradition that began when the city's canals were the primary means of royal transportation.