BANGKOK, Oct 17 (TNA) — Crowds of people saw the first dress rehearsal of an important royal barge procession related to the coronation of His Majesty the King this year.
A large number of people gathered near Rama VIII Bridge in the afternoon to see the dress rehearsal of the waterway coronation parade. For the rehearsal, 52 royal barges were set to start the procession at 3.30pm.
In the morning staff of the Royal Household Bureau installed regalia including royal umbrellas and flags on four royal barges in honour of His Majesty the King in compliance with time-honoured royal traditions. The four barges are Suphannahong, Anantanakkharat, Anekachatphuchong and Narai Song Suban.
The government prepared six locations for spectators along the Chao Phraya river from Krung Thonburi Bridge to Wat Rakhang Khositaram. The locations and other public areas along the section of the river can accommodate about 40,000 people.
The Marine Department closed traffic to barges and large boats in the section of the Chao Phraya river from 7am to 7pm. Operators of ferries were ordered to suspend their services from 3pm to 7pm to pave the way for the dress rehearsal.
However, the event would not be held as scheduled.
HM the King has ordered to postpone the royal barge procession from Oct 24 to Dec 12 due to strong current, says Deputy Prime Minister, Visanu Krue-ngam. (TNA)
