Royal Barge #3

Royal Barge

#3

HS-TKF

B777-3D7

Thai Airways

2019-20

A Royal Barge scheme reappeared in August 2019 when Thai celebrated the coronation of Thailand’s new king Maha Vajiralongkorn which took place on May 4, 2019 and opened a full year of celebrations. The aircraft was royally bestowed the name “Lahan Sai”. The Thailand's Royal Barge Procession is a ceremony of both religious and royal significance which has taken place for nearly 700 years. The Royal Barges are a blend of craftsmanship and traditional Thai art.

The barge displayed on this 777 is a replica of the Suphannahong Royal Barge built in 1911, which is still the regular Royal Barge to date. The golden pavilion on board the barge houses the king and the immediate royal family.

The scheme was supposed to be kept until late 2022 but the aircraft has been stored since the Covid-19 pandemic started.

Image  ©  Danny Yu (PEK)
Tags   Traditional Patterns

Royal Barge #2

Royal Barge

#2

Amazing Thailand | APEC Thailand 2003

HS-TEK

A330-322

Thai Airways

2000-09

This second Royal Barge scheme was unveiled around May 2000 in association with the national "Amazing Thailand" tourism campaign, capitalizing on the success of the Royal Barge Jumbos. Thailand's Royal Barge Procession is a ceremony of both religious and royal significance which has taken place for nearly 700 years. The Royal Barges are a blend of craftsmanship and traditional Thai art.

Only 16 processions took place during Bhumibol Adulyadej's 70 years of reign. A Royal Barge Procession took place for the APEC Meeting on 20 October 2003. The barge displayed on this A330 was a replica of the Narai Song Suban Royal Barge built in 1996, which is one of three secondary Royal Barges, and the only built during Rama IX's era. It was launched to coincide with the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of Bhumibol Adulyadej's accession to the throne. The barge has the Garuda and a statue of Narayana as forehead figures.

Image  ©  Thomas Ingendorn (BKK)
Tags   Amazing Thailand, Tourism, Traditional Patterns

Royal Barge #1

Royal Barge   ★

#1

Amazing Thailand | APEC Thailand 2003

HS-TGJ	B747-4D7	Thai Airways		1999-05
HS-TGO	B747-4D7	Thai Airways		1999-05

The Royal Barge scheme was unveiled in late September 1999 in association with the national "Amazing Thailand" tourism campaign and in anticipation of Bhumibol Adulyadej (the King of Thailand)'s 72nd birthday celebrations. Thailand's Royal Barge Procession is a ceremony of both religious and royal significance which has taken place for nearly 700 years. The Royal Barges are a blend of craftsmanship and traditional Thai art.

Only 16 processions took place during Bhumibol Adulyadej's 70 years of reign. A Royal Barge Procession for Royal Kathin Ceremony at Wat Arun took place on 4 November 1999 (in the King's 6th cycle, 72 years old). Another procession took place for the APEC Meeting on 20 October 2003 (in the meantime, the two Jumbos had gained APEC 2003 titles in replacement of the Amazing Thailand markings).

The barge displayed on the two Jumbos was a replica of the Suphannahong Royal Barge built in 1911, which is still the regular Royal Barge to date. The golden pavilion on board the barge houses the king and the immediate royal family.

Image  ©  Michael Stappen (SYD)
Tags   Amazing Thailand, Tourism, Traditional Patterns